31 December 2022
Children, 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. They 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. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.
From 1 John 2:18-21, NRSV
The Jews of the first century lived in a state of constant expectancy of the world ending and of a battle for supremacy between the forces of good and evil. For John, this “last time” would be when Christ would return to earth. In today’s reading, we hear John using some of the language that was in use at the time. He speaks of the antichrist – a word which might conjure up demonic images. It is more likely that John was speaking not so much of evil persons, but of those who offered alternative paths to salvation. Then, as now, there were numerous cults, all offering hope of reward. Jesus himself had warned his followers to beware of false prophets whose promises were not founded on God. John extends this image of the antichrist to those who have for a time seemed to identify with the Christian community but who had not really belonged. He wants his listeners to know that they have been given the knowledge and understanding through their anointing in the name of the Lord to discern the truth and not to be misled by false prophets.
- Why do you think that anointing is part of Christian initiation?
- What does membership of the Christian family involve?
Pray for the Church (in all its forms), that it will be recognised for its witness to the gospel and by a genuine responsibility to its care for those in need.
