Saturday after Epiphany

Lectionary 217

We also know that the Son of God has come
and has given us discernment to know the one who is true.
And we are in the one who is true,
in his Son Jesus Christ.
He is the true God and eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against idols.

The First Letter of Saint John has led us through this last week of the Christmas Season. Tomorrow we'll celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, and on Monday we will begin a series of readings from the Letter to the Hebrews.

Like every other book of the Bible, the First Letter of John is debated among scholars. Who wrote it? why? when? to whom? and so forth. As I understand the Letter intended to clarify some issues that were raised in the Gospel of Saint John.

If the Gospel seems to lack a clear understanding of the role of the Assembly, this Letter clarifies it. As witnesses and disciples of Jesus, we discover that "We are in the one who is true..." He has claimed us as is own and sent us to the world as witnesses.

Apparently, there had been serious defections in the Church by the time of this writing. Scandalized and demoralized by these incidents, Christians wondered how that could happen. Saint John's explanation is simple:

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

and

Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

and, most devastating:

They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.

Saint John's judgement weighs heavily upon our ears, but all of his writing is weighted with apocalyptic expectation. There is no time for second thoughts or turning back. If the Lord returns tonight, many will find the narrow gate shut against them. 

I am reminded of the cartoon of one man and two imps on a descending elevator. The man says, "Just the other day I was thinking I should start going to church." 

In the VA hospital I have often seen a sharp contrast between the faithful men who led their wives and children to church, and the men who quit the practice immediately after high school. The latter are often ravaged by terrible choices, and dying of old age in their early sixties. 

In some cases I find men who, out of force of habit, lived sober, productive lives in stable marriages but attended no church. Their children, predictably and to the dismay of the parent, suffer seriously distressed lives. They are impaired by drug abuse, adultery and chronic shiftlessness. Even when this second generation has the personal discipline they find significant others who are like sheep without a shepherd. 

As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him.