Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 19, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 7.25 – 8.6
25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
1Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,2a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.3For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain."6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Psalm 40
1I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.2He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.4Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!5You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.6Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.7Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:8I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.10I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.11As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!12For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!14Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt!15Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!"17As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
Gospel: Mark 3.7-12
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea8and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him.9And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him,10for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.11And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound identity and mission of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded of Jesus' role as our eternal High Priest. Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, who were limited by their humanity and offered sacrifices repeatedly, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice—himself—once and for all. This passage emphasizes his divine priesthood, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us continuously. The author of Hebrews highlights the superiority of Christ's priesthood, which is rooted in his sinlessness and his eternal existence. This reality should fill us with hope and confidence, knowing that we have a perfect mediator who understands our weaknesses and advocates for us before the Father.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus in action, surrounded by crowds who are drawn to his healing power. The unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God, but Jesus silences them. This moment in Mark's Gospel reveals the divine authority of Jesus, but it also shows his humility and focus on his mission. While the demons acknowledge his true identity, Jesus does not seek to draw attention to himself. Instead, he continues to serve the people, healing their wounds and teaching them about the kingdom of God. This passage invites us to reflect on how we acknowledge Jesus in our own lives. Do we recognize his divine presence in our midst? Do we allow his power to transform us, or do we try to control or manipulate it for our own purposes?
These readings call us to trust in Jesus' priesthood and his divine plan. Like the crowds in Mark's Gospel, we are often drawn to Jesus for what he can do for us, but we are invited to go deeper. We are called to recognize his true identity as the Son of God and to surrender our lives to his will. In a world that often seeks quick fixes and superficial solutions, we are reminded that true healing and transformation come from Jesus alone. Let us approach him with humility and faith, allowing his power to touch our lives and transform our hearts. May we, like the healed in the Gospel, bear witness to his love and mercy in all that we do.