Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2023

First Reading: Hebrews 2.14-18

¹⁴Therefore, because children have a common flesh and blood, he himself also, in like manner, has shared in the same, so that through death, he might destroy him who held the dominion of death, that is, the devil¹⁵and so that he might free those who, through the fear of death, had been condemned to servitude throughout their entire life¹⁶For at no time did he take hold of the Angels, but instead he took hold of the offspring of Abraham¹⁷Therefore, it is fitting for him to be made similar to his brothers in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God, in order that he might bring forgiveness to the offenses of the people¹⁸For in as much as he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he also is able to assist those who are tempted

Psalm 105

Psalms

Chapter 105

¹Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, and invoke his name. Announce his works among the nations²Sing to him, and sing psalms to him. Describe all his wonders³Be praised in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice⁴Seek the Lord, and be confirmed. Seek his face always⁵Remember his miracles, which he has done, his portents and the judgments of his mouth⁶you offspring of Abraham his servant, you sons of Jacob his elect⁷He is the Lord our God. His judgments are throughout the entire earth⁸He has remembered his covenant for all ages: the word that he entrusted to a thousand generations⁹which he assigned to Abraham, and his oath to Isaac¹⁰And he stationed the same for Jacob with a precept, and for Israel with an eternal testament¹¹saying: To you, I will give the land of Canaan, the allotment of your inheritance¹²Though they may have been but a small number, very few and foreigners there¹³and though they passed from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people¹⁴he allowed no man to harm them, and he reproved kings on their behalf¹⁵Do not be willing to touch my Christ, and do not be willing to malign my prophets¹⁶And he called a famine upon the land, and he crushed every foundation of the bread¹⁷He sent a man before them: Joseph, who had been sold as a slave¹⁸They humbled his feet in shackles; the iron pierced his soul¹⁹until his word arrived. The eloquence of the Lord inflamed him²⁰The king sent and released him; he was the ruler of the people, and he dismissed him²¹He established him as master of his house and ruler of all his possessions²²so that he might instruct his princes as himself, and teach his elders prudence²³And Israel entered into Egypt, and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham²⁴And he helped his people greatly, and he strengthened them over their enemies²⁵He turned their heart to hate his people, and to deal deceitfully with his servants²⁶He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, the one whom he chose²⁷He placed with them signs of his word, and portents in the land of Ham²⁸He sent darkness and made it conceal, and he did not afflict them with his speech²⁹He turned their waters into blood, and he slaughtered their fish³⁰Their land brought forth frogs, even in the inner chambers of their kings³¹He spoke, and there came forth common flies and gnats, in every region³²He gave them a shower of hail and a burning fire, in the same land³³And he struck their vineyards and their fig trees, and he crushed the trees of their region³⁴He spoke, and the locust came forth, and the caterpillar, of which there was no number³⁵And it devoured all the grass in their land, and it consumed all the fruit of their land³⁶And he struck all the first-born in their land, the first-fruits of all their labor³⁷And he led them out with silver and gold, and there was not an infirm one among their tribes³⁸Egypt was joyful at their departure, for the fear of them lay heavy upon them³⁹He spread a cloud for their protection, and a fire, to give them light through the night⁴⁰They petitioned, and the quail came; and he satisfied them with the bread of heaven⁴¹He ruptured the rock and the waters flowed: rivers gushed in the dry land⁴²For he had called to mind his holy word, which he kept near to his servant Abraham⁴³And he led forth his people in exultation, and his elect in rejoicing⁴⁴And he gave them the regions of the Gentiles, and they possessed the labors of the peoples⁴⁵so that they might observe his justifications, and inquire about his law

Gospel: Mark 1.29-39

Mark

Chapter 1

²⁹And soon after departing from the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John³⁰But the mother-in-law of Simon lay ill with a fever. And at once they told him about her³¹And drawing near to her, he raised her up, taking her by the hand. And immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them³²Then, when evening arrived, after the sun had set, they brought to him all who had maladies and those who had demons³³And the entire city was gathered together at the door³⁴And he healed many who were troubled with various illnesses. And he cast out many demons, but he would not permit them to speak, because they knew him³⁵And rising up very early, departing, he went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed³⁶And Simon, and those who were with him, followed after him³⁷And when they had found him, they said to him, "For everyone is seeking you.³⁸And he said to them: "Let us go into the neighboring towns and cities, so that I may preach there also. Indeed, it was for this reason that I came.³⁹And he was preaching in their synagogues and throughout all of Galilee, and casting out demons

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about Jesus' mission and ministry. The first reading from Hebrews reveals Jesus' solidarity with humanity, sharing our flesh and blood to liberate us from the fear of death and the devil's grip. This text emphasizes Jesus' role as a merciful High Priest, who, through his suffering and temptation, can compassionately assist us in our struggles. The Gospel from Mark illustrates this theology through action, depicting Jesus healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching throughout Galilee. These acts demonstrate Jesus' divine authority and his mission to bring God's kingdom to all. The connection between these readings lies in their portrayal of Jesus' dual role as both the suffering servant and the powerful healer. Hebrews provides the theological underpinning, explaining why Jesus had to become human—to destroy death's power and offer forgiveness. Mark then shows this theology in action, with Jesus' miracles and preaching manifesting his divine mission. Together, they reveal a Savior who is both fully human and fully divine, deeply compassionate and supremely powerful. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in Jesus' plan and to serve others with compassion. Just as Jesus healed and preached, we are called to be instruments of God's grace, bringing hope and light to those around us. Let us reflect on how we can embody this mission, trusting in God's providence and serving with love, just as Jesus did. Through faith and compassion, we can overcome fear and bring God's healing presence to a world in need.