Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 30, 2024
First Reading: 1 John 2.12-17
12I am writing to you, little sons, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of his name13I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, adolescents, because you have overcome the evil one14I am writing to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I am writing to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one15Do not choose to love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the charity of the Father is not in him16For all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the arrogance of a life which is not of the Father, but is of the world17And the world is passing away, with its desire. But whoever does the will of God abides unto eternity
Psalm 96
1A Canticle of David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth2Sing to the Lord and bless his name. Announce his salvation from day to day3Announce his glory among the Gentiles, his miracles among all peoples4For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He is terrible, beyond all gods5For all the gods of the Gentiles are demons, but the Lord made the heavens6Confession and beauty are in his sight. Sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary7Bring to the Lord, you natives of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor8Bring to the Lord glory for his name. Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts9Adore the Lord in his holy court. Let the entire earth be shaken before his face10Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned. For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. He will judge the peoples with fairness11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; let the sea and all its fullness be moved12The fields and all the things that are in them will be glad. Then all the trees of the forest will rejoic13before the face of the Lord: for he arrives. For he arrives to judge the earth. He will judge the whole world with fairness and the peoples with his truth
Gospel: Luke 2.36-40
36And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity37And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day38And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel39And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth40Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live a life rooted in God’s love and truth, while navigating the challenges of the world around us. In the first reading from 1 John, the apostle addresses believers as “little children,” “young men,” and “fathers,” emphasizing the universal call to live in accordance with God’s will. He warns against loving the world and its desires, which are fleeting and opposed to the eternal life offered by God. Instead, he encourages believers to remain strong in their faith, abiding in God’s Word, and overcoming the evil that seeks to pull them away from Him.
The Gospel from Luke presents us with the figure of Anna, a prophetess who embodies a life of devotion and perseverance. As a widow, Anna dedicates herself to prayer and fasting, never leaving the temple. Her encounter with the infant Jesus is a moment of profound joy and fulfillment, as she recognizes Him as the long-awaited redemption of Israel. Anna’s life serves as a model of faithfulness and hope, showing us how to remain steadfast in our commitment to God even in the face of challenges and uncertainties. Meanwhile, the passage also highlights the growth of the young Jesus, who is filled with wisdom and grace, reminding us that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey.
Together, these readings call us to evaluate our priorities and allegiances in life. Like Anna, we are invited to cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer and service, trusting in His plan even when the world around us seems chaotic. The warning in 1 John against loving the world reminds us to guard our hearts against the temptations of materialism and selfishness, instead choosing to live in a way that reflects God’s will. As we go about our daily lives, may we strive to remain rooted in faith, hope, and love, knowing that true fulfillment comes not from the world but from abiding in God.