Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 8, 2025
First Reading: 1 John 4.11-18
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Psalm 72
1Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.2He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.3The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.5They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.6He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.7In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.9They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.11Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.12For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.13He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.14He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.16There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.17His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.19And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.20The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Gospel: Mark 6.45-52
45And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.47And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.48And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:50For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.51And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.52For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about God’s love and our response to it. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a divine gift that flows from God’s very nature. John writes, “God is love,” and emphasizes that if we abide in love, we abide in God. This love is not merely sentimental but transformative—it casts out fear and unites us with God and one another. The Gospel from Mark complements this message with a dramatic scene of Jesus walking on water. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus retreats to pray, but when he sees his disciples struggling against the wind, he comes to them, calming their fears and demonstrating his divine power.
The context of these readings is crucial. In 1 John, the early Christian community is reminded of the essence of their faith: love. John’s words are a call to live out this love in tangible ways, just as God has loved us. In Mark’s Gospel, the story of Jesus walking on water follows the feeding of the 5,000, highlighting Jesus’ compassion and authority. The disciples, though eyewitnesses to the miracle of the loaves, still struggle with fear and doubt when faced with the storm. This mirrors our own experiences of faith—moments of clarity and trust often give way to uncertainty in the face of challenges.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with others. John’s emphasis on love challenges us to examine how we treat one another. Do we allow God’s love to flow through us, or do we let fear and self-interest take root? Mark’s story, meanwhile, reminds us that even in the midst of turmoil, Jesus is always present, offering us peace and courage. Like the disciples, we may not always understand God’s ways, but we are called to trust in his providence.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where is fear holding me back? How can I let God’s perfect love cast out that fear? And how can I share this love with others? The moral lesson is clear: faith and love are inseparable. Just as Jesus calmed the storm, he can calm the storms in our lives. But we must open our hearts to his presence and allow his love to transform us. In doing so, we become instruments of that same love in a world that so desperately needs it.