Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 25, 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 9.1-4
1But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.4One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.7Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!8You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek."9Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!10For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.11Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.12Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!14Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.10-13, 17-18
10I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.12What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ."13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Gospel: Matthew 4.12-17
12Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.13And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,14so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:15"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."17From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Sermon
Today's readings invite us to contemplate the radiant presence of God amidst human brokenness. We hear in the Gospel how Jesus, upon hearing of John the Baptist's arrest, withdraws into Galilee, specifically Capernaum, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Isaiah. For centuries, the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, often marginalized and exposed to foreign invasions, lived in a form of darkness. Isaiah foretold that a great light would dawn upon these very people, those sitting in the shadow of death. Jesus’ decision to begin his public ministry there, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near," reveals Him as this promised light, bringing hope, liberation, and the very presence of God's reign to those who most keenly felt their need for it.
This glorious light of Christ is the foundation of our faith, yet we often, like the Corinthians, stumble and lose sight of its unifying power. Saint Paul addresses the deep divisions within the Corinthian community, where people were aligning themselves with different leaders – Paul, Apollos, Cephas – rather than with Christ alone. He firmly reminds them that Christ is not divided, that they were baptized into His name, not any human's. The power of God, he insists, is found not in human wisdom or eloquence, but in the message of the Cross, which may seem foolish to the perishing but is salvation to those who believe. This teaches us that the Light of Christ, which shines into our darkness, is meant to unite us, not splinter us into factions based on personalities or preferences.
The call to repentance and the dawning of the Kingdom in Galilee are for us today. We all experience moments of spiritual or existential darkness, times when we feel oppressed, lost, or alienated. Just as Jesus brought light to a forgotten region, He desires to shine His grace into the darkest corners of our lives. Let us recognize His presence and respond to His call to turn away from sin and self-centeredness. Furthermore, let us guard against the divisive spirit that Paul condemned. Our ultimate allegiance must always be to Christ crucified and risen, the source of our unity and the sole author of our salvation. In a world so often divided, our witness must be one of profound unity in Him, reflecting the singular, undivided Light that has dawned upon us.