💖 HOMILY - JANUARY 2 💖

First Reading - 1 John 2:22-28

Gospel - John 1:19-28

Do we truly recognize Christ in our lives? Do we genuinely know Him? While we may have access to a wealth of information about Jesus—from His birth to His ascension—knowing about Christ is not the same as experiencing Him personally. The challenge posed to us today is to move beyond mere knowledge and cultivate a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.

In the first reading, John speaks of the Antichrist. These are those who defect from the faith, doubt that Jesus is the Christ, or lack conviction in their belief. They may have known about Christ but failed to transform this knowledge into a personal encounter or steadfast faith. John reassures us that those who remain faithful to Christ are graced with the ability to truly know Him. This grace invites us to stand firm in our faith and deepen our understanding of Him.

The gospel highlights the role of John the Baptist, the voice in the wilderness who prepared the way for the Messiah. Many mistook him for the Christ, as he seemed to fit the revolutionary image of the Messiah that the Jews had constructed. However, John humbly denied being the Christ, pointing instead to the one who was to come. This misinterpretation by the Jews reminds us how preconceived notions about God can prevent us from recognizing Him when He reveals Himself in unexpected ways.

Dear friends, God continually calls us to a deeper relationship with Him. Although we do not see Him physically, He reveals Himself through Scripture, the sacraments, our spiritual experiences, and the events of our daily lives. Are we able to recognize Him in these moments? Or do we let preconceived ideas, distractions, or doubt cloud our vision of His presence?

Let us take this opportunity at the start of a new year to renew our commitment to knowing Christ more deeply. Go beyond mere information about Him and seek a personal encounter. Trust in the grace He has given to help us discern truth from deception and remain firm in our faith. By doing so, we can strengthen our relationship with Christ and live as faithful witnesses to His love and salvation. May we grow in faith and conviction, becoming true disciples who not only know about Christ but truly know Him.