Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 12, 2023

First Reading: Hebrews 3.7-14

⁷Because of this, it is just as the Holy Spirit says: "If today you hear his voice⁸harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, the very day of temptation, in the desert⁹where your fathers tested me, even though they had seen and examined my works for forty years¹⁰For this reason, I was enraged against this generation, and I said: They always wander astray in heart. For they have not known my ways¹¹So it is as I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest!¹²Be cautious, brothers, lest perhaps there may be, in any of you, an evil heart of unbelief, turning aside from the living God¹³Instead, exhort one another every day, while it is still called ‘today,’ so that none of you may become hardened through the falseness of sin¹⁴For we have been made participants in Christ. This is only so, if we firmly retain the beginning of his substance, even unto the end

Psalm 95

Psalms

Chapter 95

¹The Praise of a Canticle, of David himself. Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior²Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms³For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods⁴For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are his⁵For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands formed the dry land⁶Come, let us adore and fall prostrate, and let us weep before the Lord who made us⁷For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand⁸If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts⁹as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested me, though they had seen my works¹⁰For forty years, I was offended by that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart¹¹And these have not known my ways. So I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest

Gospel: Mark 1.40-45

Mark

Chapter 1

⁴⁰And a leper came to him, begging him. And kneeling down, he said to him, "If you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.⁴¹Then Jesus, taking pity on him, reached out his hand. And touching him, he said to him: "I am willing. Be cleansed.⁴²And after he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed⁴³And he admonished him, and he promptly sent him away⁴⁴And he said to him: "See to it that you tell no one. But go and show yourself to the high priest, and offer for your cleansing that which Moses instructed, as a testimony for them.⁴⁵But having departed, he began to preach and to disseminate the word, so that he was no longer able to openly enter a city, but had to remain outside, in deserted places. And they were gathered to him from every direction

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hebrews warns us against hardening our hearts, urging us to remain faithful and supportive of one another. The second reading from Mark shares the story of a leper who, with unwavering faith, approaches Jesus for healing. Jesus, moved by compassion, heals the leper and instructs him to present himself to the priests, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience. These readings remind us of the delicate balance between individual faith and community support. The leper's courage to approach Jesus reflects the personal trust we must have in God, while the community aspect in Hebrews highlights the need for mutual encouragement to prevent our hearts from becoming hardened by sin. Just as the leper's healing was a testament to others, our actions and faith can inspire those around us. In our daily lives, let us embrace this dual lesson. May we nurture our personal faith, trusting in God's grace, and actively support one another within our community. By doing so, we not only avoid the pitfalls of sin but also become beacons of hope and faith for others. The moral here is clear: faith and community are intertwined, each strengthening the other, leading us closer to God and fostering a spirit of compassion and trust.