Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 3, 2024

Date:  Christmas Weekday

 Scripture Text:  John 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from John recounts John’s testimony about Jesus to his own disciples. After John the Baptist had baptized Jesus, he recognized through the power and presence of the Spirit that Jesus was the one for whom John had been sent to “prepare the way.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I believe wholly and deeply that Jesus is the Son of God? Do I open myself to the power and presence of the Spirit to gift me so that I might follow Christ as His true disciple?

Praying:

LORD, Most Holy Spirit, come into my heart and open it fully to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Stir the embers of love within me; let this love compel me to give witness that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of God, sent from the Father for our salvation. Tenderize my being so that I might welcome Christ to remain with me always and so that I might always seek to remain with Him. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.