Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 3, 2019
First Reading: 1 John 2.29; 3.1-6
29If you know that he is just, then know, too, that all who do what is just are born of him
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we would be called, and would become, the sons of God. Because of this, the world does not know us, for it did not know him2Most beloved, we are now the sons of God. But what we shall be then has not yet appeared. We know that when he does appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is3And everyone who holds this hope in him, keeps himself holy, just as he also is holy4Everyone who commits a sin, also commits iniquity. For sin is iniquity5And you know that he appeared in order that he might take away our sins. For in him there is no sin6Everyone who abides in him does not sin. For whoever sins has not seen him, and has not known him
Psalm 98
1A Psalm of David himself. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has performed wonders. His right hand has accomplished salvation for him, with his holy arm2The Lord has made known his salvation. He has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations3He has remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God4Sing joyfully to God, all the earth. Sing and exult, and sing psalms5Sing psalms to the Lord with stringed instruments, with strings and the voice of a psalmist6with subtle wind instruments and the voice of woodwinds. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king7Let the sea be moved and all its fullness, the whole world and all who dwell in it8The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will exult together9before the presence of the Lord. For he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the whole world with justice, and the peoples with fairness
Gospel: John 1.29-34
29On the next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and so he said: "Behold, the Lamb of God. Behold, he who takes away the sin of the world30This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me arrives a man, who has been placed ahead of me, because he existed before me.31And I did not know him. Yet it is for this reason that I come baptizing with water: so that he may be made manifest in Israel.32And John offered testimony, saying: "For I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove; and he remained upon him33And I did not know him. But he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: ‘He over whom you will see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.34And I saw, and I gave testimony: that this one is the Son of God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of our profound identity as children of God and the transformative power of Jesus Christ. The first reading from 1 John invites us to reflect on the boundless love of the Father, who has called us to be His sons and daughters. This divine adoption is not merely a title but a calling to live in holiness, for we are to become like Christ when He appears. The reading emphasizes that sin contradicts this divine calling, yet it is through Christ that our sins are taken away, enabling us to live a life free from sin and in union with Him.
The Gospel from John presents John the Baptist's profound declaration of Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This moment is pivotal, as it reveals Jesus' mission and identity. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus signifies His divine nature and His role as the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. This passage underscores the Trinitarian reality of God's love and redemption, where the Father sends the Son, and the Spirit rests upon Him, revealing Him as the Son of God.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both point to the heart of our faith: the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. The first reading calls us to live out our identity as God's children through holiness, while the Gospel reveals the One who makes this possible. In our daily lives, let us embrace this identity with gratitude and strive to live in a way that reflects God's holiness. May we turn to Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins, and may we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, who transforms us into the likeness of the Son. In this way, we fulfill our calling as children of God, living in hope and holiness.