Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 23, 2025
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on the ministry of Jesus Christ. The first, from the Letter to the Hebrews, presents Jesus as the eternal High Priest who intercedes for us in heaven. This passage contrasts Jesus with the priests of the old covenant, emphasizing His unique role as the perfect mediator who offered Himself once for all sins. The second reading, from the Gospel of Mark, depicts Jesus ministering to a multitude by the sea, healing the sick, and demonstrating His divine authority over unclean spirits. These readings invite us to reflect on the nature of Christ's priesthood and His mission of salvation.
The context of the Hebrews passage is rooted in the Jewish understanding of priesthood and sacrifice. The author explains that Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, transcends the limitations of the earthly priesthood. He does not need to offer sacrifices daily because His one sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for all time. In Mark's Gospel, the scene by the sea shows Jesus in the midst of His earthly ministry, surrounded by crowds seeking healing and deliverance. The unclean spirits recognize His divine identity, but Jesus silences them, perhaps to emphasize that His true identity would be revealed through His death and resurrection.
These readings are deeply connected. The Gospel shows Jesus fulfilling the role described in Hebrews as the one who heals and saves. While the crowds press in to touch Him, Jesus is already living out the priesthood that would culminate in His sacrifice on the cross. For us today, this means we can trust in Jesus' ongoing intercession and His power to heal and transform our lives. We are called to approach Him with faith, seeking His touch and His grace, just as the people in the Gospel did.
As we reflect on these readings, let us remember that Jesus is our eternal High Priest who continually intercedes for us. May we turn to Him in our needs, trusting in His power to heal and save. Let us also imitate His humility and focus on serving others, as He did by the sea. In a world that often seeks quick fixes and fleeting solutions, may we find our strength and hope in the eternal priesthood of Christ, who is always alive to save us.