Spiritual Maturity
Reflecting on the Second Sunday of Easter: Two Days after Sunday (Year B)
Scripture
Psalter: Psalm 135
Old Testament: Daniel 6:1-28
Epistle: 1 John 2:12-17
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Prayer
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
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Reflection
I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
because you have conquered the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
because you are strong
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world, for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God abide forever (1 John 2:12-17).
John writes his letter to a diverse audience, including children, young men, and fathers, which metaphorically represent different stages of spiritual maturity. He reassures them of their forgiveness and knowledge of God, and he commends their overcoming of evil.
He begins this section by affirming the forgiveness and spiritual maturity of his readers. He speaks of “little children” having their sins forgiven and knowing the Father, “fathers” knowing him who is from the beginning, and “young men” being strong, having the word of God in them, and overcoming the evil one. Here we likely have levels of spiritual development rather than physical age or status.
John warns against the love of the world and the things in the world, explaining that such love is incompatible with the love of the Father. The world is characterized by “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” and these are not from the Father but from the world. John emphasizes the transient nature of the world and contrasts it with the eternal nature of doing God’s will. The passage also contrasts the temporary, corrupt nature of worldly desires with the everlasting, fulfilling nature of doing God’s will. John encourages his readers to focus on eternal values rather than temporal, worldly ones.
John offers encouragement and affirmation to believers at various stages of spiritual maturity, warns against the dangers of loving the world’s fleeting pleasures, and emphasizes the eternal reward of doing God’s will.
PRAYER: Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and the world was changed forever. Teach us to keep faith with them, that our witness may be as bold, our love as deep, and our faith as true. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)
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