Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.2He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;3a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.4He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.6"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Psalm 29
1Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.3The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.6He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.7The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.9The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.11May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!
Second Reading: Acts 10.34-38
34So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Gospel: Matthew 3.13-17
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Sermon
Today's readings reveal God's profound plan for salvation, starting with Isaiah's prophecy of a chosen servant, upheld by the Spirit, who will gently bring justice to the nations and be a light to the Gentiles, opening blind eyes and freeing prisoners. We see this prophecy fulfilled in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus, though sinless, humbly comes to John for baptism "to fulfill all righteousness." At this pivotal moment, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father's voice declares, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This divine affirmation identifies Jesus as the Spirit-anointed servant. Peter's realization in the Acts of the Apostles – that God shows no partiality, and anyone from any nation who fears Him and acts justly is acceptable – echoes Isaiah's vision and confirms the universal scope of Jesus' mission, proclaiming peace and traveling around "doing good and healing all those oppressed."
Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry, a profound act of humility and obedience that inaugurates His work of redemption. He embodies the gentle yet powerful justice foretold by Isaiah, not breaking the bruised reed nor extinguishing the smoldering wick, yet firmly establishing judgment. Through our own baptism, we too are called to participate in this mission, empowered by the same Holy Spirit. Peter's revelation challenges us to overcome any prejudices, recognizing that God's saving grace extends to every person, without distinction. We are called to live out Christ's Spirit-filled mission in our daily lives, striving to "do good" and bring healing, spiritual light, and liberating truth to those around us, reflecting the inclusive love and justice of God in a world often overshadowed by division and despair.