Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 6, 2022
First Reading: 1 John 4.19 – 5.4
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.4For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
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: Luke 4.14-22a
14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.17And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."20And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.21And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."22And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages about love, faith, and service. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that genuine love for God is inseparable from love for our neighbors. John emphasizes that loving God, whom we cannot see, is only possible if we love those around us, whom we can see. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments. The reading also highlights the power of faith, noting that it overcomes the challenges of the world.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus in Nazareth, where He announces the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus' mission is clear: to bring hope to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and liberate those oppressed. This passage sets the tone for Jesus' ministry, emphasizing compassion and service to those on the margins. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on love and service as expressions of faith. John's epistle calls us to love actively, while Luke's Gospel shows Jesus embodying this love through His mission.
As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to examine how we live out our faith. Are we merely spectators, or are we actively engaged in serving others? Let us ask ourselves: How can we, like Jesus, bring light and hope to those around us? Perhaps it's through a kind word, a listening ear, or advocating for justice. May we remember that our faith is not just about belief but about putting love into action. As we go about our daily lives, may we embody the love of God, just as Jesus did, and may our actions reflect the transformative power of His mission.