Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2019
First Reading: 1 John 5.5-13
5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God6This is the One who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. Not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies that the Christ is the Truth7For there are Three who give testimony in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. And these Three are One8And there are three who give testimony on earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. And these three are one9If we accept the testimony of men, then the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater: that he has testified about his Son10Whoever believes in the Son of God, holds the testimony of God within himself. Whoever does not believe in the Son, makes him a liar, because he does not believe in the testimony which God has testified about his Son11And this is the testimony which God has given to us: Eternal Life. And this Life is in his Son12Whoever has the Son, has Life. Whoever does not have the Son, does not have Life13I am writing this to you, so that you may know that you have Eternal Life: you who believe in the name of the Son of God
Psalm 147
1Alleluia. Praise the Lord, because the psalm is good. Delightful and beautiful praise shall be for our God2The Lord builds up Jerusalem. He will gather together the dispersed of Israel3He heals the contrite of heart, and he binds up their sorrows4He numbers the multitude of the stars, and he calls them all by their names5Great is our Lord, and great is his virtue. And of his wisdom, there is no number6The Lord lifts up the meek, but he brings down the sinner, even to the ground7Sing before the Lord with confession. Play psalms to our God on a stringed instrument8He covers heaven with clouds, and he prepares rain for the earth. He produces grass on the mountains and herbs for the service of men9He gives their food to beasts of burden and to young ravens that call upon him10He will not have good will for the strength of the horse, nor will he be well pleased with the legs of a man11The Lord is well pleased with those who fear him and with those who hope in his mercy12Alleluia. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion13For he has reinforced the bars of your gates. He has blessed your sons within you14He has stationed peace at your borders, and he has satisfied you with the fat of the grain15He sends forth his eloquence to the earth. His word runs swiftly16He provides snow like wool. He strews clouds like ashes17He sends his ice crystals like morsels. Who can stand firm before the face of his cold18He will send forth his word, and it will melt them. His Spirit will breathe out, and the waters will flow19He announces his word to Jacob, his justices and his judgments to Israel20He has not done so much for every nation, and he has not made his judgments manifest to them. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 5.12-16
12And it happened that, while he was in a certain city, behold, there was a man full of leprosy who, upon seeing Jesus and falling to his face, petitioned him, saying: "Lord, if you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.13And extending his hand, he touched him, saying: "I am willing. Be cleansed." And at once, the leprosy departed from him14And he instructed him that he should tell no one, "But go, show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your cleansing, just as Moses has commanded, as a testimony for them.15Yet word of him traveled around all the more. And great crowds came together, so that they might listen and be cured by him from their infirmities16And he withdrew into the desert and prayed
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound connection between faith, testimony, and the transformative power of God’s love. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that true victory over the world comes through belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John highlights the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who together testify to the truth of God’s love. He also reminds us that eternal life is found in the Son, and those who believe in him already possess this life. The reading encourages us to trust in God’s testimony, which is greater than any human word, and to live with confidence in our faith.
The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid example of this faith in action. A man afflicted with leprosy approaches Jesus with humility and trust, acknowledging Jesus’ power to heal. Jesus, moved by compassion, touches the man and restores him to full health. This miracle is not just a physical healing but also a spiritual one, as it reveals Jesus’ divine authority and the power of faith. Jesus then instructs the man to present himself to the priest, not only to fulfill the legal requirements of his time but also as a public testimony to God’s work in his life. Despite Jesus’ request for silence, the man’s healing becomes known, drawing even more people to Jesus.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and how we live it out. Like the leper, we are called to approach God with humility and trust, acknowledging our need for healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. When we experience God’s grace, we are compelled to share this gift with others, not through words alone but through the way we live. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in their testimony, our words and actions must also be united in bearing witness to God’s love. Let us, therefore, embrace the truth that eternal life is ours in Christ and live each day as a testament to the transformative power of faith.