Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 2, 2021
First Reading: 1 John 2.22-28
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Psalm 98
1O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.2The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.3He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.5Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.6With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.8Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together9Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Gospel: John 1.19-28
19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter themes of truth, identity, and the call to remain faithful. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that denying Jesus as the Christ is a grave error, as it separates us from both the Father and the Son. John emphasizes the importance of holding fast to the teachings we have received from the beginning, for in doing so, we abide in the Son and the Father. He warns against false teachers who would lead us astray, assuring us that the anointing of the Holy Spirit within us is sufficient to guide us in truth.
The Gospel reading from John presents John the Baptist’s humble testimony. When questioned by the priests and Levites, John clearly states, “I am not the Christ,” and instead identifies himself as a voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. His humility and clarity of purpose stand in contrast to the confusion and expectations of those who question him. John’s baptism is not an end in itself but a preparation for the One who is to come, the One whose sandals he is not worthy to untie.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own identity and purpose. Like John the Baptist, we are called to point others to Christ, not to seek glory for ourselves. In a world filled with competing voices and false promises, we must remain grounded in the truth of who Jesus is and what he has taught us. The Holy Spirit, the anointing we have received, equips us to discern truth from falsehood and to abide in Christ. Let us strive to live with humility, fidelity, and a commitment to the truth, so that when Christ appears, we may stand before him with confidence and not be confounded.