Daily Readings - Sun Jan 22 2023

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

In today's readings, we encounter a powerful narrative of light overcoming darkness, unity amidst division, and the call to embody this light in our lives. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a people emerging from the shadows into the radiance of God's promise, a beacon of hope in desperate times. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, illuminating the lives of those who dwelled in darkness. Here, Jesus not only embodies the light but also calls us to a life of repentance and readiness for the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, as we bask in the light of Christ, we are reminded by St. Paul in Corinthians of the importance of unity. The early Christian community, much like our own, faced the temptation of division—whether through factions or personal pride. Paul urges us to transcend these divisions, to find our common ground in Christ. The Cross of Christ, he reminds us, is both foolishness to those who perish and the power of God to those who believe. It is through this power that we are called to unity, not in our own strength, but in the grace of God. As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we might be the light in our own darkened world. In a time where division and discord often dominate, we are called to be agents of unity and hope. Let us embrace the call to repentance, turning away from the shadows of our own making and towards the light of Christ. May we, as children of light, reflect God's love in all we do, bringing hope to those around us and living as one in Christ.