Daily Bible Readings - January 2, 2012

1st READING

The next few days we will read from the First Letter of St. John, a letter written to assure the fledgling Christian community that there is no “body of secret knowledge” available to a select few “chosen people.” (This is what the heresy of gnosticism is about.) The simple message of the Gospel is made known to all of us and it is a call to recognize and proclaim Jesus as Lord and Redeemer and to live our lives accordingly.

1 John 2:22-28
22 Beloved: Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist. 23 Anyone who denies the Son has the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. 26 I write you these things about those who would deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. 28 And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

P S A L M

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. (R) 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)

G O S P E L

It is important that we know what our role is as a disciple of Jesus, or else we could be trying to accomplish something that God does not want us to do. It may even be a good thing, but if it is not what God is asking us to do, we should not be doing it! That is somebody else’s calling. John the Baptist was clear about his mission. Let us hope and pray we can be clear as to what our mission may be and then get started in accomplishing them.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
In times past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.

John 1:19-28
19 This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
BLESSING
LIST
think: It is important that we know what our role is as a disciple of Jesus or else we could be trying to accomplish something that God does not want us to do.

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Matthew 4-6