Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 24, 2023
First Reading: Hebrews 10.1-10
1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Psalm 40
1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.12For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.14Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.15Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.16Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.17But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Gospel: Mark 3.31-35
31There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.32And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.33And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?34And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!35For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of sacrifice and family, guiding us to a deeper understanding of our relationship with God and one another. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded that the old covenant's sacrifices, though symbolic, could never fully remove sin. They were mere shadows of the perfect sacrifice that Christ would offer. Christ's sacrifice, once for all, fulfilled God's will and sanctified us, showing that true worship is not about rituals but about obedience to God's will.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus redefining family. When his biological relatives come to him, Jesus expands the concept of family to include all who do God's will. This teaches us that our spiritual bonds can be as strong as, or even stronger than, our biological ties. It emphasizes that following God's will is what truly unites us as His family.
These readings connect in their focus on God's will. Hebrews highlights Christ's perfect obedience, while Mark shows Jesus living out that obedience and redefining family. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing spiritual relationships and living according to God's will. The moral lesson is clear: our spiritual bonds and commitment to God's will are paramount. Let us strive to live in such a way that we become part of God's family, united through faith and obedience.