Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 27, 2023
First Reading: 1 John 1.1-4
1He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, upon whom we have gazed, and whom our hands have certainly touched: He is the Word of Life2And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us3He whom we have seen and heard, we announce to you, so that you, too, may have fellowship with us, and so that our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ4And this we write to you, so that you may rejoice, and so that your joy may be full
Psalm 97
1This is to David, when his land was restored to him. The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. Let the many islands rejoice2Clouds and mist are all around him. Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne3A fire will precede him, and it will enflame his enemies all around4His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. The earth saw, and it was shaken5The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, before the face of the Lord of all the earth6The heavens announced his justice, and all peoples saw his glory7May all those who adore graven images be confounded, along with those who glory in their false images. All you his Angels: Adore him8Zion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Judah exulted because of your judgments, O Lord9For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. You are greatly exalted above all gods10You who love the Lord: hate evil. The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner11The light has risen for the just, and joy for the upright of heart12Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, and confess to the memory of his sanctuary
Gospel: John 20.2-8
2Therefore, she ran and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They have taken the Lord away from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.3Therefore, Peter departed with the other disciple, and they went to the tomb4Now they both ran together, but the other disciple ran more quickly, ahead of Peter, and so he arrived at the tomb first5And when he bowed down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not yet enter6Then Simon Peter arrived, following him, and he entered the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there7and the separate cloth which had been over his head, not placed with the linen cloths, but in a separate place, wrapped up by itself8Then the other disciple, who had arrived first at the tomb, also entered. And he saw and believed
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound mystery of Christ’s resurrection and the gift of life that flows from it. In the first reading from 1 John, we hear a beautiful testimony to the Word of Life—Jesus Christ—who has been revealed to us. John emphasizes that this life is not a distant or abstract concept but something tangible and personal, something we can see, hear, and even touch. He invites us to share in this divine life by entering into fellowship with God and with one another. This fellowship is the very source of our joy, and it is through this communion that we experience the fullness of life.
In the Gospel, we witness the dramatic moment when Peter and the other disciple discover the empty tomb. The details of the scene—the linen cloths lying flat, the separate cloth folded apart—are signs that speak of something extraordinary. The disciple who arrives first sees and believes, not just in the absence of Jesus’ body, but in the reality of his resurrection. This moment marks a turning point, as the disciples begin to understand that Jesus’ promise of eternal life is not a distant hope but a present reality. The empty tomb is not just a sign of absence but a testament to the power of God, who has overcome death itself.
These readings remind us that faith is rooted in testimony and experience. Just as the disciples were called to witness the empty tomb, we too are called to bear witness to the risen Christ in our lives. This means living with hope, trusting in God’s plan even when the path is uncertain, and sharing the joy of the Gospel with others. Let us allow the resurrection to transform us, to fill us with the same joy and wonder that filled the hearts of the disciples. May we, like John, proclaim the Word of Life to a world in need, and may our fellowship with God and with one another be the source of our strength and our joy.