Daily Readings - Mon Jan 08 2024

First Reading - Isaiah 55.1-11 or 1 John 5.1-9

¹All you who thirst, come to the waters. And you who have no money: hurry, buy and eat. Approach, buy wine and milk, without money and without barter²Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and expend your labor for what does not satisfy? Listen very closely to me, and eat what is good, and then your soul will be delighted by a full measure³Incline your ear and draw near to me. Listen, and your soul will live. And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, by the faithful mercies of David⁴Behold, I have presented him as a witness to the people, as a commander and instructor to the nations⁵Behold, you will call to a nation that you did not know. And nations that did not know you will rush to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel. For he has glorified you⁶Seek the Lord, while he is able to be found. Call upon him, while he is near⁷Let the impious one abandon his way, and the iniquitous man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will take pity on him, and to our God, for he is great in forgiveness⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways, says the Lord⁹For just as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so also are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts¹⁰And in the same manner as rain and snow descend from heaven, and no longer return there, but soak the earth, and water it, and cause it to bloom and to provide seed to the sower and bread to the hungry¹¹so also will my word be, which will go forth from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish whatever I will, and it will prosper in the tasks for which I sent it

1 John

Chapter 5

¹Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And everyone who loves God, who provides that birth, also loves him who has been born of God²In this way, we know that we love those born of God: when we love God and do his commandments³For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not heavy⁴For all that is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God⁶This is the One who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. Not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies that the Christ is the Truth⁷For there are Three who give testimony in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. And these Three are One⁸And there are three who give testimony on earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. And these three are one⁹If we accept the testimony of men, then the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater: that he has testified about his Son

Mark

Chapter 1

⁷And he preached, saying: "One stronger than me comes after me. I am not worthy to reach down and loosen the laces of his shoes⁸I have baptized you with water. Yet truly, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.⁹And it happened that, in those days, Jesus arrived from Nazareth of Galilee. And he was baptized by John in the Jordan¹⁰And immediately, upon ascending from the water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit, like a dove, descending, and remaining with him¹¹And there was a voice from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.

Sermon

The first reading from Isaiah invites us to reflect on God’s abundant mercy and the call to trust in His providence. In a time of exile and hardship for the people of Israel, Isaiah offers a message of hope and renewal. He urges the people to turn away from their own limited ways of thinking and to seek the Lord, who is always near and ready to forgive. The passage reminds us that God’s ways are far greater than ours, and His word is powerful, accomplishing all that He wills. It is an invitation to humility and faith, encouraging us to rely on God’s goodness rather than our own understanding. The Gospel from Mark presents a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus: His baptism by John in the Jordan River. John’s humility shines through as he acknowledges his unworthiness before the one who is to come. Jesus’ baptism is not just a ritual but a revelation of His divine identity. The heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as His beloved Son. This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and reminds us of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit, we too are called to live in the Spirit and to bear witness to God’s love. Together, these readings call us to trust in God’s plan and to open ourselves to His grace. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, and Mark shows us that Jesus’ humility and openness to the Spirit are the keys to living a life of purpose and love. In our daily lives, we are invited to let go of our own limited perspectives and to seek the Lord with humility. May we, like John, recognize our need for God and, like Jesus, embrace the Spirit who empowers us to live as children of God. Let us turn to the Lord with hearts ready to receive His mercy and His love.