Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 8 ,2026

Date:  Thursday after Epiphany

Scripture Text:   1 John 4:19–5:4

Beloved, we love God because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him.  In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 The first reading for today continues our reading of the 1^st Letter of John. In today’s segment, John calls us to humbly acknowledge that God first loved us even when we were still sinners. John also challenges us to be honest in our assessment of how well we are loving the LORD reminding us that a great measure is how well we love others. As John says, “for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. John entreats us to love well and to keep the LORD’s commandments: love the LORD, our God, and love one another. All the laws and the teachings of the prophets are contained in those two commandments.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 With all honesty, how well am I obeying the LORD’s two commands of love?

Praying:

LORD, You are love itself. You shower me with your love. May my mind, my heart, my soul, my whole being absorb your love so I might be the one You created me to be, calls me to be, and gifts me to be. 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.