Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 21, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 9.2-3, 11-14
2For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.3Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place,11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)12he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.13For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh,14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Psalm 47
1Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!2For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.3He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah5God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.6Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!7For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!8God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.9The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Gospel: Mark 3.20-21
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and the challenges of following Him in our own lives. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear about the tabernacle and the Holy of Holies, a sacred space where only the high priest could enter once a year to offer sacrifices for the people. The author contrasts this with Christ, who enters not into a man-made tabernacle but into heaven itself, offering His own blood as the perfect sacrifice for our redemption. This passage emphasizes the superiority of Christ’s priesthood and the eternal redemption He has won for us.
In the Gospel, Mark describes a scene where Jesus’ family tries to intervene because the crowd around Him has become so large that He cannot even eat. They think He has gone mad, but Jesus remains focused on His mission. This passage highlights the tension between human expectations and God’s plan. Jesus’ family, though well-intentioned, does not yet fully understand His divine mission, and their concern reflects the confusion and skepticism that often accompany God’s work in the world.
Together, these readings remind us that following Christ requires faith and trust, even when circumstances seem chaotic or misunderstood. Just as Christ entered the Holy of Holies to offer the ultimate sacrifice, we are called to surrender our lives to God’s plan, trusting that His ways are greater than our own. In our daily lives, this means persevering through challenges, remaining committed to our faith, and trusting that God is at work, even when things seem unclear. Let us strive to imitate Christ’s dedication and trust in the Father, knowing that His sacrifice has given us eternal life and the strength to follow Him.