Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 3, 2018
First Reading: 1 John 2.29; 3.1-6
29If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.4Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.5You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.6No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
Psalm 98
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!8Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together9before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Gospel: John 1.29-34
29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!30This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'31I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."32And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.33I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'34And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on our identity as children of God and the profound love of the Father that has made this possible. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that we are born of God and called to live justly, for sin is iniquity and contrary to God’s nature. John emphasizes that those who abide in God do not sin, for sin separates us from Him. This passage calls us to holiness, urging us to keep ourselves pure as we await the full revelation of what we shall be when Christ appears.
The Gospel reading from John complements this by focusing on the revelation of Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John the Baptist’s testimony highlights Jesus’ divine identity and mission. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus confirms Him as the Son of God and the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Together, these readings remind us that our identity as children of God is rooted in the love of the Father and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. To be children of God is not merely a title but a way of life. It calls us to live with integrity, avoiding sin and striving for holiness. Just as John the Baptist pointed others to Jesus, we too are called to witness to the love and mercy of God in our words and actions. Let us embrace the hope of our heavenly inheritance and live in a way that reflects our true identity as sons and daughters of God. May we, like John, testify to the world that Jesus is the Son of God, and may His Spirit guide us in living out this calling with joy and fidelity.