Remain in Him

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010216.cfm) reminds me that we should remain in God.

It is 2016 already. And in a few days, most of us will again go back to work. As we go back to work, we will miss the holidays! We will miss not coming to work, we will miss the long hours of sleep, the get togethers, the eating and the gifts. We want to remain in holiday mode, in Christmas season. And this wanting to remain in holiday mode is similar to what God reminds us – to remain in God.

In the first reading, we see that we should remain in God so we would have confidence when he comes again. We should stay in him and continue to follow him and his commandments. in the gospel, we see someone who lives this. We see someone who remains in God. John the Baptist remained in God, especially when people were asking him who he was. He stayed true to his calling and to what he was supposed to do, that he was not the messiah but someone who prepares the way for Christ.

As we enter a new year, may we also remain in God just as much as we want to remain in holiday mode. There will be new challenges, but these will be new opportunities to remain in God and increase our faith. May we listen to God’s reminder and do our best to remain in him, to keep the spirit of Christmas alive and real to others we encounter.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend, for the last 2 days before going back to work. Lord, thank you for all the blessings. And I ask that you to continue to be with me. Continue to hold my hand and guide me. Help me remain in you. And when I feel down and feel like quitting, I ask that you never let go of me and hold on to me. that I may always be faithful and remain in you. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 2, 2016

Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Lectionary: 205

 

 

Reading 1 1 Jn 2:22-28

 

Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

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.
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.
I write you these things about those who would deceive you.
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.

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.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

 

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

 

 

Alleluia Heb 1:1-2

 

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

 

Gospel Jn 1:19-28

 

This is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him
to ask him, “Who are you?”
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,
“I am not the Christ.”
So they asked him,
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”
And he said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
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?”
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.”
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
“Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”
John answered them,
“I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing