Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 7,2026

Date: Wednesday after Epiphany

Scripture Text:   1 John 4:11-18

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.

This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit.

Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.

Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.

God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 In the first reading for today, John continues to instruct us in the love of the LORD for us and in our right response to this love: to love the LORD with our whole being and strength and to love one another. John reminds us with love and in love, there is  no fear.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 Do I live in fear? What does that tell me about how well I am loving the LORD and others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You are love. Send your Spirit to open us more fully to your love and the illumination that come with your love when we are open. Grant that we may comprehend more fully the immensity of your gift to us of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who not only took on our human nature in all ways except sin but who also gave himself and his life upon the cross of Calvary for love of You and love of us. May we learn from Him, and strengthen by the Spirit, may we pick up our own crosses and follow in His footsteps for we know He is leading us home to You. May we do this with all the love we have. Amen.