Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 3, 2024
First Reading: 1 John 2.29; 3.1-6
29If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.3And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.4Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.5You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.6No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
Psalm 98
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!8Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together9before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Gospel: John 1.29-34
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound truth of our identity as children of God and the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that we are born of God and called to live a life of holiness. The apostle John emphasizes that sin contradicts our divine adoption, but through hope in Christ, we are called to purity and love. The Gospel from John presents John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John’s humility and clarity in pointing others to Christ serve as a model for us to recognize and proclaim God’s presence in our lives.
Both readings are deeply connected, as they highlight the transformative power of God’s love and the call to live as His children. In 1 John, we are reminded of our new identity in Christ, while in the Gospel, we see the One who makes this identity possible. John the Baptist’s words, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” direct us to the heart of the Gospel: Jesus’ mission to save us from sin and restore us to the Father. Together, these readings call us to embrace our dignity as children of God and to live in a way that reflects this truth.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we are living out our faith. Are we recognizing the sin in our lives and turning to Christ for forgiveness? Are we striving to live with the holiness that befits God’s children? Let us draw hope from the promise that we will one day see God face-to-face and be like Him. Until then, may we imitate John the Baptist by humbly pointing others to Jesus, the Lamb of God, and may we live with integrity, love, and a heart open to the Spirit.