January 2, 2017 Monday, ST BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS, DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH

1 John 2:22-28

Psalm 98

John 1:19-28

“…I am not worthy…”  John 1:27

Lord, you once said that no one is as great as John the Baptist.  Yet when John told the people about you he said that he wasn’t even worthy to untie your shoes.  If, next to you, John considered himself so unworthy, what does that make me Lord? If I truly knew you I too would realize how unworthy I am.  My unworthiness comes not from my nature but from my fondness for sin.  It comes from my habits of taking you for granted, seeking my will over yours and living with a hardness of heart.  Yet you came among us, gave your life for us and invite us to eternal life with the Father.  I am not worthy of such a Savior.  You know it and I know it.  So today, Lord, help me live in gratitude for the undeserved gifts of yourself and your Spirit.  No way can I earn such love from you.  No way can you not give it.  I thank you, Jesus, for my unworthiness. Because of it I have a Savior like you.  Amen.