Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 10, 2025
First Reading: 1 John 5.5-13
5Who 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 Son10Whoever believes in the Son of God, holds the testimony of God within himself. Whoever does not believe in the Son, makes him a liar, because he does not believe in the testimony which God has testified about his Son11And this is the testimony which God has given to us: Eternal Life. And this Life is in his Son12Whoever has the Son, has Life. Whoever does not have the Son, does not have Life13I am writing this to you, so that you may know that you have Eternal Life: you who believe in the name of the Son of God
Psalm 147
1Alleluia. Praise the Lord, because the psalm is good. Delightful and beautiful praise shall be for our God2The Lord builds up Jerusalem. He will gather together the dispersed of Israel3He heals the contrite of heart, and he binds up their sorrows4He numbers the multitude of the stars, and he calls them all by their names5Great is our Lord, and great is his virtue. And of his wisdom, there is no number6The Lord lifts up the meek, but he brings down the sinner, even to the ground7Sing before the Lord with confession. Play psalms to our God on a stringed instrument8He covers heaven with clouds, and he prepares rain for the earth. He produces grass on the mountains and herbs for the service of men9He gives their food to beasts of burden and to young ravens that call upon him10He will not have good will for the strength of the horse, nor will he be well pleased with the legs of a man11The Lord is well pleased with those who fear him and with those who hope in his mercy12Alleluia. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion13For he has reinforced the bars of your gates. He has blessed your sons within you14He has stationed peace at your borders, and he has satisfied you with the fat of the grain15He sends forth his eloquence to the earth. His word runs swiftly16He provides snow like wool. He strews clouds like ashes17He sends his ice crystals like morsels. Who can stand firm before the face of his cold18He will send forth his word, and it will melt them. His Spirit will breathe out, and the waters will flow19He announces his word to Jacob, his justices and his judgments to Israel20He has not done so much for every nation, and he has not made his judgments manifest to them. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 5.12-16
12And it happened that, while he was in a certain city, behold, there was a man full of leprosy who, upon seeing Jesus and falling to his face, petitioned him, saying: "Lord, if you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.13And extending his hand, he touched him, saying: "I am willing. Be cleansed." And at once, the leprosy departed from him14And he instructed him that he should tell no one, "But go, show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your cleansing, just as Moses has commanded, as a testimony for them.15Yet word of him traveled around all the more. And great crowds came together, so that they might listen and be cured by him from their infirmities16And he withdrew into the desert and prayed
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the transformative grace of God. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the key to overcoming the world. John emphasizes the unity of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, who together testify to the truth of God’s love. He also highlights the importance of accepting this divine testimony, for it is through faith in the Son that we receive eternal life. The reading concludes with a reassuring message: those who believe in Jesus have eternal life, and this life is a gift from God.
In the Gospel, Luke presents us with a vivid scene of Jesus healing a man afflicted with leprosy. The leper, aware of his own unworthiness, humbly asks Jesus to cleanse him if he is willing. Jesus, moved by compassion, touches the man and heals him instantly. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus’ divine authority but also his deep love for those on the margins of society. The instruction to “show yourself to the priest” serves as a testament to the healing power of God, while Jesus’ withdrawal to the desert for prayer reminds us of the importance of seeking solitude and communion with God.
These readings are deeply connected. Both highlight the transformative power of faith and the grace of God. In 1 John, faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, while in Luke, the leper’s faith leads to his physical and spiritual healing. Together, they remind us that our faith must be active and trusting, even in the face of uncertainty. As we go about our daily lives, let us turn to God with the same humility and trust as the leper, knowing that God’s love and grace can transform even the darkest corners of our lives. May we also remember to withdraw into prayer, like Jesus, to recharge and deepen our relationship with him.