Daily Readings - Sun Jan 19 2020
Isaiah
3And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.5And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
1 Corinthians
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
John
29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of identity, mission, and the universal call to holiness. The first reading from Isaiah presents the prophet as a servant of God, called not only to restore Israel but also to be a light to the Gentiles. This passage emphasizes God’s broader plan of salvation, which extends beyond the chosen people to all nations. The second reading from 1 Corinthians introduces Paul, who humbly identifies himself as an apostle by God’s will, addressing a diverse church in Corinth. He reminds them of their sanctification in Christ and their unity in faith. The Gospel from John vividly describes John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God, highlighting Jesus’ divine mission and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Isaiah’s servant song points to a future messiah who would bring light to all people, and John’s Gospel reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians underscores the universal scope of Christ’s mission, as the church at Corinth, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is called to holiness. Together, the readings remind us that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a select few but is intended for the entire world.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own identity and mission as followers of Christ. Like Isaiah and Paul, we are called to be servants and witnesses of God’s love. John the Baptist’s humility and willingness to step aside for Jesus challenge us to recognize our role in pointing others to Christ. Let us embrace our calling to be light in the darkness, to serve with humility, and to share the Good News with all we encounter. May we, like the Corinthians, grow in holiness and unity, knowing that we are part of a universal family of faith.