First Reading

Reading from the first letter of the apostle Saint John

1 John 2:22-28

My children: Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist, because he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; but whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.

I have written this to you with regard to those who are trying to lead you astray. Remember that the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; this anointing, which is true and not a lie, teaches you about all things; remain in him, then, just as it has taught you.

And now, my children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have full confidence and not be put to shame before him at the time of his coming.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 1:19-28

This is the testimony of John the Baptist, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, «Who are you?»

He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, «I am not the Messiah.» They asked him again, «Who are you, then? Are you Elijah?» He replied, «I am not.» «Are you the prophet?» He answered, «No.» They said to him, «Then tell us who you are, so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?» John answered them: «I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah announced.

Those who had been sent were from the sect of the Pharisees. They asked him, «Then why do you baptize, if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?» John answered them, «I baptize with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.»

This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.