Daily Readings - Sun Jan 26 2020

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

1 Corinthians

Chapter 1

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

Matthew

Chapter 4

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.