Daily Readings - Sun Jan 10 2021
Isaiah
1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
1 John
1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
Mark
7And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.8I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.9And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.10And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:11And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the profound relationship between faith, trust, and the divine plan. The first reading from Isaiah offers a beautiful invitation to turn to God, emphasizing that His ways and thoughts are far greater than ours. Isaiah urges us to seek the Lord while He is near, promising that His word will accomplish its purpose, much like the rain and snow that nourish the earth. This reading reminds us of God’s generosity and the transformative power of His word in our lives.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this theme by highlighting the victory of faith. John reminds us that everyone who believes in Jesus as the Son of God is born of God and overcomes the world. Love for God is not just a feeling but is expressed through keeping His commandments, which are not burdensome. John also emphasizes the testimony of the Spirit, water, and blood, affirming the truth of who Jesus is. This reading calls us to live out our faith with confidence and love, trusting in God’s testimony over the fleeting opinions of the world.
In the Gospel, Mark describes the baptism of Jesus, where the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father declares His delight in His beloved Son. This passage reveals the profound truth of Jesus’ identity and mission. John the Baptist humbly acknowledges his role as a precursor, pointing to the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. This moment of revelation invites us to reflect on our own baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as Jesus was affirmed by the Father, we too are beloved children of God, called to live out our faith with humility and trust.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly trust in God’s plan, even when it seems beyond our understanding? Are we living out our faith with love and obedience to His commandments? Let us seek the Lord while He is near, allowing His word to nourish us and transform us. May we, like Jesus, be open to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, and may we humbly point others to the One who is the Truth. In doing so, we will find the victory that overcomes the world—the victory of faith, love, and trust in God.