Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 6, 2023
First Reading: 1 John 5.5-13
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.10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Psalm 147
1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 1.4-5, 7-11
4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.5And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.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 delve into the essence of faith and the divine affirmation of Jesus' identity. The First Reading from 1 John emphasizes that overcoming the world is rooted in believing Jesus is the Son of God. It highlights the unity of the Spirit, water, and blood as testimonies to this truth, reinforcing that eternal life is found in the Son. The Gospel from Mark vividly describes Jesus' baptism, where the heavens open, the Spirit descends as a dove, and a voice declares Jesus as the beloved Son. This scene underscores John's humility and the divine validation of Jesus' mission.
Contextually, 1 John was written to early Christians to fortify their faith amidst challenges, while Mark's account is an early narrative focusing on Jesus' actions and identity. Both readings converge on affirming Jesus' divine identity, with the First Reading providing theological depth and the Gospel offering a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our faith. Just as John recognized his role and humbly stepped aside, we too can acknowledge our limitations and trust in God's plan. Belief in Jesus should not be passive but transformative, guiding our actions and decisions. The example of John's humility teaches us to embrace our roles with grace, knowing that our strength lies in God.
As we reflect, let us remember that faith is both a gift and a choice. It is through faith that we receive eternal life, and it is through humility that we align ourselves with God's will. May we, like the early Christians, find strength in our belief and live with the assurance that we are beloved children of God, called to embody His love in our world.