mothers and fathers

Good evening friends,
Today's reading is interesting because John clearly addresses people at different stages in their lives. While we don't all experience aging the same way, where we are in our life has a lot to do with the things we care most about. Each stage in our life also brings different gifts, and John sees that in his community. He also talks about the dangers of material concerns. Money and other "worldly concerns" aren't bad in themselves, but they often distract us from what is really important, love. Finally, John talks a little bit in this passage about people who have left the community, presumably in a destructive manner. There are lots of reasons people leave communities, and many of those reasons have nothing to do with, "not being one of us." At the same time, John is writing in a time where faith identity could be a life or death matter, so his focus on the borders of the community may have made sense then in a way it really doesn't now.


God bless,
Sam


1 John 2:12-19

12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. 13I 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. 14I 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.


15Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16for 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. 17And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.


18Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.