Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 26, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 9.1-4
1In the earlier time, the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali were lifted up. But in the later time, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, the Galilee of the Gentiles, was weighed down2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. A light has risen for the inhabitants of the region of the shadow of death3You have increased the nation, but you have not increased the rejoicing. They will rejoice before you, like those who rejoice at the harvest, like the victorious exulting after capturing the prey, when they divide the spoils4For you have prevailed over the yoke of their burden, and over the rod of their shoulder, and over the scepter of their oppressor, as in the day of Midian
Psalm 27
1A Psalm of David, before he was sealed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid2Meanwhile, the guilty draw near to me, so as to eat my flesh. Those who trouble me, my enemies, have themselves been weakened and have fallen3If entrenched armies were to stand together against me, my heart would not fear. If a battle were to rise up against me, I would have hope in this4One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, so that I may behold the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple5For he has hidden me in his tabernacle. In the day of evils, he has protected me in the hidden place of his tabernacle6He has exalted me upon the rock, and now he has exalted my head above my enemies. I have circled around and offered a sacrifice of loud exclamation in his tabernacle. I will sing, and I will compose a psalm, to the Lord7Hear my voice, O Lord, with which I have cried out to you. Have mercy on me, and hear me8My heart has spoken to you; my face has sought you. I yearn for your face, O Lord9Do not turn your face away from me. In your wrath, do not turn aside from your servant. Be my helper. Do not abandon me, and do not despise me, O God, my Saviour10For my father and my mother have left me behind, but the Lord has taken me up11O Lord, establish a law for me in your way, and direct me in the right path, because of my enemies12Do not surrender me to the souls of those who trouble me. For unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity has lied to itself13I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living14Wait for the Lord, act manfully; and let your heart be strengthened, and remain with the Lord
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.10-13, 17-18
10And so, I beg you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that every one of you speak in the same way, and that there be no schisms among you. So may you become perfect, with the same mind and with the same judgment11For it has been indicated to me, about you, my brothers, by those who are with Chloes, that there are contentions among you12Now I say this because each of you is saying: "Certainly, I am of Paul;" "But I am of Apollo;" "Truly, I am of Cephas;" as well as: "I am of Christ.13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize: not through the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ become empty18For the Word of the Cross is certainly foolishness to those who are perishing. But to those who have been saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God
Gospel: Matthew 4.12-17
12And when Jesus had heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee13And leaving behind the city of Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, near the sea, at the borders of Zebulun and of Naphtali14in order to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles16A people who were sitting in darkness have seen a great light. And unto those sitting in the region of the shadow of death, a light has risen.17From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say: "Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of light, unity, and the call to repentance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear of a people who have walked in darkness but have now seen a great light. This prophecy speaks of a time when God’s presence will bring hope and liberation to those living in the shadow of death. The passage is set in a time when Israel was oppressed, longing for deliverance, and Isaiah’s words point to a future where God’s light will break through the darkness. This light is not just a metaphor but a promise of salvation and restoration.
In the Gospel, Matthew shows us how this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. After hearing of John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, a region often looked down upon by the Jewish leaders. By settling in Capernaum, near the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jesus is deliberately fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. He begins his ministry by preaching a simple yet profound message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This call to repentance is not about fear or condemnation but about turning back to God and embracing the light of His kingdom. Jesus’ presence in Galilee signifies that God’s light is not confined to a select few but is available to all, especially those on the margins.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that this light of Christ is not just for individuals but also calls us to unity. Paul urges the Corinthians to avoid divisions and to speak with one mind and judgment. He emphasizes that Christ is not divided and that our unity is rooted in the power of the cross. The cross, which may seem foolish to the world, is the source of God’s power and wisdom for those who believe. These readings, taken together, remind us that we are called to live as people of light, united in Christ, and to share this light with a world still walking in darkness. May we, like the people of Galilee, open our hearts to the light of Christ and allow it to transform our lives.