Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 14, 2024
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3.3b-10, 19
3And so, to prevent the lamp of God from going out, Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was4And the Lord called Samuel. And responding, he said, "Here I am.5And he ran to Eli, and he said, "Here I am. For you called me." And he said: "I did not call. Return and sleep." And he went away, and he slept6And again, the Lord continued to call to Samuel. And rising up, Samuel went to Eli, and he said: "Here I am. For you called me." And he responded: "I did not call you, my son. Return and sleep.7Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not been revealed to him8And the Lord continued, and he called to Samuel still a third time. And rising up, he went to Eli9And he said: "Here I am. For you called me." Then Eli understood that the Lord had called the boy. And he said to Samuel: "Go and sleep. And if he calls to you from now on, you will say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ " Therefore, Samuel went away, and he slept in his place10And the Lord came, and stood, and he called, just as he had called the other times, "Samuel, Samuel." And Samuel said, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.19And Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, and not one of his words fell to the ground
Psalm 40
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David himself. I have waited expectantly for the Lord, and he was attentive to me2And he heard my prayers and he led me out of the pit of misery and the quagmire. And he stationed my feet upon a rock, and he directed my steps3And he sent a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many will see, and they will fear; and they will hope in the Lord4Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of the Lord, and who has no respect for vanities and absurd falsehoods5You have accomplished your many wonders, O Lord my God, and there is no one similar to you in your thoughts. I have announced and I have spoken: they are multiplied beyond number6Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have perfected ears for me. Holocaust and sin offering, you did not require7Then I said, "Behold, I draw near." At the head of the book, it has been written of me8that I should do your will. My God, I have willed it. And your law is in the midst of my heart9I have announced your justice in a great Church: behold, I will not restrain my lips. O Lord, you have known it10I have not concealed your justice within my heart. I have spoken your truth and your salvation. I have not concealed your mercy and your truth from a great assembly11O Lord, do not take your tender mercies far from me. Your mercy and your truth ever sustain me12For evils without number have surrounded me. My iniquities have taken hold of me, and I was not able to see. They have been multiplied beyond the hairs of my head. And my heart has forsaken me13Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me. Look down, O Lord, to help me14Let them together be confounded and awed, who seek after my soul to steal it away. Let them be turned back and be in awe, who wish evils upon me15Let them bear their confusion all at once, who say to me, "Well, well.16Let all who seek you exult and rejoice over you. And let those who love your salvation always say, "May the Lord be magnified.17But I am a beggar and poor. The Lord has been concerned about me. You are my helper and my protector. My God, do not delay
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6.13c-15a, 17-20
13Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food. But God shall destroy both the stomach and food. And the body is not for fornication, but rather for the Lord; and the Lord is for the body14Truly, God has raised up the Lord, and he will raise us up by his power15Do you not know that your bodies are a part of Christ? So then, should I take a part of Christ and make it a part of a harlot? Let it not be so17But whoever is joined to the Lord is one spirit18Flee from fornication. Every sin whatsoever that a man commits is outside of the body, but whoever fornicates, sins against his own body19Or do you not know that your bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own20For you have been bought at a great price. Glorify and carry God in your body
Gospel: John 1.35-42
35The next day again, John was standing with two of his disciples36And catching sight of Jesus walking, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God.37And two disciples were listening to him speaking. And they followed Jesus38Then Jesus, turning around and seeing them following him, said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi (which means in translation, Teacher), where do you live?39He said to them, "Come and see." They went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about the tenth hour40And Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who had heard about him from John and had followed him41First, he found his brother Simon, and he said to him, "We have found the Messiah," (which is translated as the Christ)42And he led him to Jesus. And Jesus, gazing at him, said: "You are Simon, son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas," (which is translated as Peter)
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter three distinct yet interconnected narratives that guide us on a journey of faith, purity, and discipleship. The first reading from 1 Samuel illustrates Samuel's call by God, highlighting the importance of discernment and responsiveness. Samuel, though initially unaware, learns to recognize God's voice through Eli's guidance, demonstrating that listening to God requires openness and mentorship. This story reminds us that God's call can come in unexpected ways, and our willingness to listen is crucial.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the sanctity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Paul urges us to avoid immorality, reminding us that our bodies are not our own but belong to God. This call to purity is not just about avoiding sin but about honoring God in every aspect of our lives. It challenges us to reflect on how our actions align with our commitment to follow Christ, ensuring that our lives are a testament to His presence within us.
The Gospel from John recounts the initial disciples' encounter with Jesus, where they respond to His invitation to "come and see." This simple yet profound invitation leads to a transformative experience, as seen in Andrew's eagerness to share the Good News with his brother Peter. Jesus' renaming of Peter symbolizes the new identity and purpose that come from following Him. This narrative underscores the importance of invitation and the transformative power of discipleship.
These readings collectively invite us to embrace a life of attentiveness, purity, and active faith. By listening to God's call, honoring our bodies as His temples, and responding to Jesus' invitation, we embark on a journey of transformation. May we, like Samuel, Peter, and the first disciples, be open to God's voice, live with integrity, and joyfully share the Gospel with others, allowing His presence to shape our lives and actions.