For the upright in heart a light appeared in the darkness: the Lord full of compassion, just and merciful (Ps 111,4).

The sacred writer challenges us, speaking to the heart: “Little children, let us not only love with words and mouth, but with actions and in truth”. Following Jesus, free from all falsehood, let us make that appeal our life plan for the year that is just beginning. First Reading: 1 John 3:11-21 Like Nathanael, let us express our confession of faith: “Master, you are the Son of God”. The Word that we will hear motivates us to seek the Lord, who gave his life for us, and make him our inseparable companion on the journey. Reading of the first letter of Saint John – Dear friends, 11This is the message you heard from the beginning: that we love one another, 12not like Cain, who, being of the evil one, killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, while his brother's works were righteous. 13Do not marvel, brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. 15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer keeps eternal life within himself. 16By this we know love: Jesus gave his life for us. Therefore, we too must lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If someone has riches in this world and sees his brother in need, but closes his heart before him, how can the love of God remain in him? 18Little children, let us not only love with words and mouth, but with deeds and in truth! 19This is the criterion for knowing that we belong to the truth and for resting our hearts before Him, 20for if our hearts accuse us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. 21Dear friends, if our hearts do not accuse us, we have confidence before God. - Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 99(100) Shout to the Lord, O whole earth! 1. Shout to the Lord, O whole earth, † serve the Lord with joy, / go to him, singing joyfully! – R. 2. Know that the Lord, he alone, is God, † he himself made us, and we are his, / we are his people and his flock. – R. 3. Enter through its doors giving thanks † and into its courts with hymns of praise; / give him thanks, bless his name! – R. 4. Yes, the Lord and our God is good, † his goodness endures forever, / his love is faithful forever! – R. Gospel: John 1:43-51 Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. A holy day has shone for us: / nations, all come and worship the Lord, / for today great light has come upon the earth. – R. Proclamation of the holy Gospel according to John – At that time, 43Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and said, “Follow me.” 44Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip met with Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the Law, and also the prophets: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46Natanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied: “Come and see!” 47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said, “Here comes a true Israelite, a man without falsehood.” 48Natanael asked, “Where do you know me from?” Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49Natanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel.” 50Jesus said, “Do you believe because he said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree’? Greater things than this you will see!” 51And Jesus continued, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” – Word of salvation. Reflection: Like a social network, in a short time, a large number of people learn about Jesus of Nazareth and want to get to know him up close. Starting with John the Baptist, who sends his own disciples to Jesus. André talks to his brother Pedro. The two inform Filipe, who transmits the news to Nathanael, and the group grows. We are in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, and we can already feel an enthusiastic movement of new disciples around Jesus of Nazareth. Little by little, the group of apostles will be formed, to whom the Master will dedicate special and intensive training, in order to prepare them for the mission. Extremely welcoming, Jesus transmits confidence to each of them and assures them that he is the true bridge that unites heaven and earth.