Daily Readings - Sun Jan 26 2020
Isaiah
1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
1 Corinthians
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Matthew
12Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of light, unity, and the call to repentance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear of a people who have walked in darkness but have now seen a great light. This prophecy speaks of a time when God’s presence will bring hope and liberation to those living in the shadow of death. The passage is set in a time when Israel was oppressed, longing for deliverance, and Isaiah’s words point to a future where God’s light will break through the darkness. This light is not just a metaphor but a promise of salvation and restoration.
In the Gospel, Matthew shows us how this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. After hearing of John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, a region often looked down upon by the Jewish leaders. By settling in Capernaum, near the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jesus is deliberately fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. He begins his ministry by preaching a simple yet profound message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This call to repentance is not about fear or condemnation but about turning back to God and embracing the light of His kingdom. Jesus’ presence in Galilee signifies that God’s light is not confined to a select few but is available to all, especially those on the margins.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that this light of Christ is not just for individuals but also calls us to unity. Paul urges the Corinthians to avoid divisions and to speak with one mind and judgment. He emphasizes that Christ is not divided and that our unity is rooted in the power of the cross. The cross, which may seem foolish to the world, is the source of God’s power and wisdom for those who believe. These readings, taken together, remind us that we are called to live as people of light, united in Christ, and to share this light with a world still walking in darkness. May we, like the people of Galilee, open our hearts to the light of Christ and allow it to transform our lives.