Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 5, 2022
First Reading: 1 John 4.11-18
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.17By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Psalm 72
1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!5May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!7In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!8May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!9May desert tribes bow down before him and his enemies lick the dust!10May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!11May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!12For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.13He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.14From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.15Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!16May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!17May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!18Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.19Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!20The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Gospel: Mark 6.45-52
45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.46And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.47And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.48And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,49but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."51And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,52for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound connection between God’s love and our response to it. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that God’s love for us is the foundation of our faith. John writes, “God is love,” and this love is not abstract but active. It is seen in the way God sent His Son to save us and in the way we are called to love one another. This love is not just a feeling but a commitment to live in harmony with God and with others. John also emphasizes that perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, but those who abide in God’s love are free from such fear.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a dramatic scene where Jesus walks on the water to meet His disciples, who are struggling against a strong wind. This miracle is not just a display of divine power but a profound lesson in trust and faith. The disciples, exhausted and frightened, think Jesus is a ghost, but He reassures them, “Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.” This moment echoes the first reading, as Jesus’ presence brings peace and dispels fear. The disciples’ astonishment and confusion, however, also remind us that faith is not always easy. Their hearts were still blinded, as they had not fully understood the meaning of the bread Jesus had multiplied earlier. This blindness is a reminder that our faith is a journey, and growth in understanding comes over time.
These readings call us to reflect on how we respond to God’s love and presence in our lives. Like the disciples, we may face storms—challenges and uncertainties—that test our faith. But Jesus is always with us, walking on the waves of our struggles, offering His peace. The first reading reminds us that God’s love is perfected in us when we love one another. So, let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing God’s love to abide in us? Are we sharing that love with others? Let us trust in His presence, just as the disciples learned to trust, and let us strive to live in a way that reflects the love and peace of Christ.