Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7
1Behold my servant, I will uphold him, my elect, with him my soul is well-pleased. I have sent my Spirit upon him. He will offer judgment to the nations2He will not cry out, and he will not show favoritism to anyone; neither will his voice be heard abroad3The bruised reed he will not break, and the smoldering wick he will not extinguish. He will lead forth judgment unto truth4He will not be saddened or troubled, until he establishes judgment on earth. And the islands will await his law6I, the Lord, have called you in justice, and I have taken your hand and preserved you. And I have presented you as a covenant of the people, as a light to the Gentiles7so that you may open the eyes of the blind, and lead out the prisoner from confinement and those sitting in darkness from the house of incarceration
Psalm 29
1A Psalm of David, at the completion of the tabernacle. Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord the sons of rams2Bring to the Lord, glory and honor. Bring to the Lord, glory for his name. Adore the Lord in his holy court3The voice of the Lord is over the waters. The God of majesty has thundered. The Lord is over many waters4The voice of the Lord is in virtue. The voice of the Lord is in magnificence5The voice of the Lord shatters the cedars. And the Lord will shatter the cedars of Lebanon6And it will break them into pieces, like a calf of Lebanon, and in the same way as the beloved son of the single-horned beast7The voice of the Lord cuts through the flame of fire8The voice of the Lord shakes the desert. And the Lord will quake the desert of Kadesh9The voice of the Lord is preparing the stags, and he will reveal the dense woods. And in his temple, all will speak his glory10The Lord causes the great flood to dwell. And the Lord will sit as King in eternity11The Lord will give virtue to his people. The Lord will bless his people in peace
Second Reading: Acts 10.34-38
34Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: "I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons35But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him36God sent the Word to the sons of Israel, announcing the peace through Jesus Christ, for he is the Lord of all37You know that the Word has been made known throughout all Judea. For beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached38Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, traveled around doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil. For God was with him
Gospel: Matthew 3.13-17
13Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him14But John refused him, saying, "I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?15And responding, Jesus said to him: "Permit this for now. For in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice." Then he allowed him16And Jesus, having been baptized, ascended from the water immediately, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him17And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Sermon
Today's readings reveal God's profound plan for salvation, starting with Isaiah's prophecy of a chosen servant, upheld by the Spirit, who will gently bring justice to the nations and be a light to the Gentiles, opening blind eyes and freeing prisoners. We see this prophecy fulfilled in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus, though sinless, humbly comes to John for baptism "to fulfill all righteousness." At this pivotal moment, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father's voice declares, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This divine affirmation identifies Jesus as the Spirit-anointed servant. Peter's realization in the Acts of the Apostles – that God shows no partiality, and anyone from any nation who fears Him and acts justly is acceptable – echoes Isaiah's vision and confirms the universal scope of Jesus' mission, proclaiming peace and traveling around "doing good and healing all those oppressed."
Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry, a profound act of humility and obedience that inaugurates His work of redemption. He embodies the gentle yet powerful justice foretold by Isaiah, not breaking the bruised reed nor extinguishing the smoldering wick, yet firmly establishing judgment. Through our own baptism, we too are called to participate in this mission, empowered by the same Holy Spirit. Peter's revelation challenges us to overcome any prejudices, recognizing that God's saving grace extends to every person, without distinction. We are called to live out Christ's Spirit-filled mission in our daily lives, striving to "do good" and bring healing, spiritual light, and liberating truth to those around us, reflecting the inclusive love and justice of God in a world often overshadowed by division and despair.