Readings:
2 Chronicles 10
Sirach 17
3 John 1

3 John 1

Today we read the third epistle attributed to Saint John. This letter is again unsigned and it’s author unnamed, but again we have ancient sources, 2000 years of tradition and literary similarities to tie this letter to the previous letters and the fourth gospel.

Most scholars believe it was written towards the end of the first century, with some saying that a dating in the 60s during the reign of Nero also being a possibility. It’s also the shortest biblical book by word count, and is a personal letter unlike the prior Johannine letters, it’s addressed to a believer named Gaius.

The main purpose of the letter seems to be to introduce this man named Demetrius who is a Christian known to John that will be traveling to where Gaius is currently. John commends Gaius and encourages him to continue in hospitality towards this new believer coming to his area and to all believers.

It’s also a warning against a false teacher who’s main crime appears to be the refusal to submit to apostolic authority. Jesus founded a church with an ordered structure, and those who refuse to be inside this structure are in rebellion, whether known to them or not. The catechism tells us though that people farther removed from this rebellion can’t have the sin of schism held against them, but should come back into full communion with the church regardless.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
2 Chronicles 11
Sirach 18
1 Corinthians 1