💖 HOMILY - JANUARY 3 💖

First Reading - 1 John 2:29-3:6

Gospel - John 1:29-34

We have certainly heard many stunning accounts of martyrs who remained faithful to Christ in their confession of faith even in the face of death. They stand as examples of faith for us. Today the readings invite us to display our confession of faith through our lives.

The first reading is a pericope of pastoral admonition. John reminds the Christians or believers to emulate God in His righteousness, purity and love, in this Christ is our pattern. Hobbs, explaining the section, asserts that "We are not to judge our lives by other people's, but by Christ's, who is the standard or goal towards which we move." The emulation of cleanliness or holiness of life like Christ expresses freedom from sin. John declares that "he is rightous" and "he is pure," and since we will be also like him when he returns, therefore we must strive to purify ourselves continually until that magnificent hour. John's "abide in me" mandate is crucial in this purification process. This means, to be purified we must remain close to the One who is wholly pure.

In the gospel, we come across four confessions concerning Jesus: firstly, he is the Passover Lamb (addressed by John the Baptist) who removes the sin of the world as confirmed on the cross; secondly, he is the one who is able to accomplish this divine task because he is preexistent one as confirmed in the prologue; thirdly, he is the one who brings salvation not merely as a past historical event but as the living reality of God in life as witnessed by his baptizing with the Holy Spirit, the one who is our support or Paraclete; and, fourthly, he is the one who as the Son of God has truly embodied God since he is unique one from the Father.

Dear friends, as we in the beginning of the new year, the readings remind us that we are entrusted with a great mandate as Christians; a mandate to confess Christ in our lives throughout the life. The confession of John the Baptist was vital to usher the potential believers to recognize Jesus as the saviour and the promised Messiah. John becomes a key person of confession of faith before the people. We are also invited to become confessor of our faith before others. The first reading reminds us that we have to emulate Christ in his righteousness or holiness, purity, and love. In fact, our life of holiness, purity, and love are the signs of our confession of faith in Christ. Our emulation of Christ in holiness, purity and love confirms that we will also like Jesus in his company. Therefore, it's a challenge posed to us to emulate Christ on the one hand, and emulate the world (sin) on the other. The emulation of Christ leads to life but emulation of the world leads to destruction and despair. We need to decide and choose the way to live our lives.