Daily Gospel
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
Is 56:1-3a, 6-8
Thus says the LORD:
Observe what is right, do what is just;
for my salvation is about to come,
my justice, about to be revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this,
the son of man who holds to it;
Who keeps the sabbath free from profanation,
and his hand from any evildoing.
Let not the foreigner say,
when he would join himself to the LORD,
“The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.”
The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
ministering to him,
Loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants–
All who keep the sabbath free from profanation
and hold to my covenant,
Them I will bring to my holy mountain
and make joyful in my house of prayer;
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on my altar,
For my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.
Thus says the Lord GOD,
who gathers the dispersed of Israel:
Others will I gather to him
besides those already gathered.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to John
Jn 5:33-36
Jesus said to the Jews:
“You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept testimony from a human being,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
John was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John’s.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.”
Friday of the Third Week in Advent
(Jn 5:33-36)
God’s Word for Us
Dear people of God,
In today’s Word of God, God introduces John the Baptist as a lamp that burns brightly in the middle of the world. Mankind enjoyed that light for a time, that is to say: Saint John preached, called people to repentance and baptism. Some people believed Saint John, followed him, and were baptized by him. They believed in the words of John the Baptist, that is, they believed in the Messiah who would come down to earth as a human and live with mankind. Those who believe in the Son of God, born as a man, will be saved. John’s testimony was verified by several people and proved to be true.
Besides, God wants to take humanity one step higher: to understand the mystery of the Son of God who came to earth as a man. The Son of God came to earth as a man and dwelt with mankind. God the Father testified to this which was the greatest and most absolute testimony. There is no greater witness than God the Father Himself that the Son of God was born as a man to be with mankind. His testimony clearly shows humanity that: All the works of the Son of God are according to the will of God the Father. The Son of God does nothing but carry out the commandment of God the Father. Only God the Father gives the power to heal all diseases and infirmities for people. Therefore, no human being can compare with God the Father.
God the Father invites all mankind to have absolute trust in the fact that the Son of God came to earth as a man. Because in this world, there is no greater love than the love God the Father bestowed upon mankind. The Son of God is the only One who gives man eternal life. Therefore, the Word of God today calls on everyone: Have absolute trust in God the Father in His messengers, and John the Baptist who came to earth to preach, to call people to repentance, and to call people to be baptized. John the Baptist’s message, the belief in a human Savior in the midst of mankind, helped to free man from darkness and from Satan’s captivity.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
