Weekday of Christmas : Thursday 2nd January 2020

In his letter, John addresses the crisis that had arisen in his community. There were some who had left the community because the teachings of false teachers misled them. John uses the term “antichrists” to describe not only the persons who deceive and draw believers away but also those who leave because they believed the false teachers.

For John, the “antichrist” is whoever that denies that Jesus is the Christ, and subsequently, denies the Father and the Son. The teachings of the “antichrists” go against the central teachings of the community of John’s time: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through this belief, you may have life in his name.”

In his Gospel, John describes how John the Baptist is interrogated by certain priests and scribes about his identity. The Baptist explains that he is not the Messiah or Elijah. John does not make his person the centre of his mission. Instead, he prepares the road for God to come to his people in and through his Son. By this, John the Baptist shows he is a faithful witness to the Person of Jesus Christ.

Today, in a world that questions and doubts the identity and significance of Jesus Christ and his message, what is our response? Do we speak and act as faithful witnesses of Christ and point others to him? Or do our words and actions lead others away from him? Let us be sincere in our answer.

Lord, you are the Son of God.