Daily Readings - Mon Jan 08 2024
First Reading - Isaiah 55.1-11 or 1 John 5.1-9
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
The first reading from Isaiah invites us to reflect on God’s abundant mercy and the call to trust in His providence. In a time of exile and hardship for the people of Israel, Isaiah offers a message of hope and renewal. He urges the people to turn away from their own limited ways of thinking and to seek the Lord, who is always near and ready to forgive. The passage reminds us that God’s ways are far greater than ours, and His word is powerful, accomplishing all that He wills. It is an invitation to humility and faith, encouraging us to rely on God’s goodness rather than our own understanding.
The Gospel from Mark presents a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus: His baptism by John in the Jordan River. John’s humility shines through as he acknowledges his unworthiness before the one who is to come. Jesus’ baptism is not just a ritual but a revelation of His divine identity. The heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus as His beloved Son. This event marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and reminds us of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit, we too are called to live in the Spirit and to bear witness to God’s love.
Together, these readings call us to trust in God’s plan and to open ourselves to His grace. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways, and Mark shows us that Jesus’ humility and openness to the Spirit are the keys to living a life of purpose and love. In our daily lives, we are invited to let go of our own limited perspectives and to seek the Lord with humility. May we, like John, recognize our need for God and, like Jesus, embrace the Spirit who empowers us to live as children of God. Let us turn to the Lord with hearts ready to receive His mercy and His love.