Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 27, 2019
First Reading: 1 John 1.1-4
1He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, upon whom we have gazed, and whom our hands have certainly touched: He is the Word of Life2And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us3He whom we have seen and heard, we announce to you, so that you, too, may have fellowship with us, and so that our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ4And this we write to you, so that you may rejoice, and so that your joy may be full
Psalm 97
1This is to David, when his land was restored to him. The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. Let the many islands rejoice2Clouds and mist are all around him. Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne3A fire will precede him, and it will enflame his enemies all around4His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. The earth saw, and it was shaken5The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, before the face of the Lord of all the earth6The heavens announced his justice, and all peoples saw his glory7May all those who adore graven images be confounded, along with those who glory in their false images. All you his Angels: Adore him8Zion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Judah exulted because of your judgments, O Lord9For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. You are greatly exalted above all gods10You who love the Lord: hate evil. The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner11The light has risen for the just, and joy for the upright of heart12Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, and confess to the memory of his sanctuary
Gospel: John 20.2-8
2Therefore, she ran and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They have taken the Lord away from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.3Therefore, Peter departed with the other disciple, and they went to the tomb4Now they both ran together, but the other disciple ran more quickly, ahead of Peter, and so he arrived at the tomb first5And when he bowed down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not yet enter6Then Simon Peter arrived, following him, and he entered the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there7and the separate cloth which had been over his head, not placed with the linen cloths, but in a separate place, wrapped up by itself8Then the other disciple, who had arrived first at the tomb, also entered. And he saw and believed
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful testimonies of faith and the transformative power of the resurrection. The First Reading from 1 John emphasizes the reality of the Word of Life, incarnate in Jesus Christ, and the joy of fellowship that comes from sharing this truth. The Gospel from John vividly describes the discovery of the empty tomb by Peter and the other disciple, highlighting their journey from doubt to belief.
These passages are deeply connected, as both center on the theme of testimony and belief. John's letter serves as a testament to the reality of the Incarnation, while the Gospel narrative shows the disciples' personal encounter with the risen Christ. The empty tomb and the neatly arranged linens are signs that invite us to trust in God's Word and to experience the joy of new life in Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to the signs God places in our lives? Do we allow ourselves to be transformed by the power of the resurrection? Let us, like the disciples, approach life's challenges with courage and openness, trusting in God's plan. May we, too, see and believe, and may our lives bear witness to the joy and hope that only Christ can give.