Daily Readings - Sun Jan 19 2020
Isaiah
3And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."5And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him--for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength--6he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
1 Corinthians
1Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of identity, mission, and the universal call to holiness. The first reading from Isaiah presents the prophet as a servant of God, called not only to restore Israel but also to be a light to the Gentiles. This passage emphasizes God’s broader plan of salvation, which extends beyond the chosen people to all nations. The second reading from 1 Corinthians introduces Paul, who humbly identifies himself as an apostle by God’s will, addressing a diverse church in Corinth. He reminds them of their sanctification in Christ and their unity in faith. The Gospel from John vividly describes John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God, highlighting Jesus’ divine mission and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Isaiah’s servant song points to a future messiah who would bring light to all people, and John’s Gospel reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians underscores the universal scope of Christ’s mission, as the church at Corinth, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is called to holiness. Together, the readings remind us that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a select few but is intended for the entire world.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own identity and mission as followers of Christ. Like Isaiah and Paul, we are called to be servants and witnesses of God’s love. John the Baptist’s humility and willingness to step aside for Jesus challenge us to recognize our role in pointing others to Christ. Let us embrace our calling to be light in the darkness, to serve with humility, and to share the Good News with all we encounter. May we, like the Corinthians, grow in holiness and unity, knowing that we are part of a universal family of faith.