Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2025
First Reading: 1 John 5.14-21
14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.16If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.18We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Psalm 149
1Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.3Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.4For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.5Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;9To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: John 3.22-30
22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.24For John was not yet cast into prison.25Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.30He must increase, but I must decrease.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of prayer, humility, and trust in God's plan. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes the power of prayer, urging us to pray with confidence, knowing that when our requests align with God's will, He hears us. It also distinguishes between sins that lead to death and those that do not, reassuring us that prayer can bring life to those who sin, except in cases of mortal sin. The reading concludes with a warning against idolatry, reminding us to keep our focus on the true God.
The Gospel from John describes a scene where both Jesus and John the Baptist are baptizing. A dispute arises between John's disciples and the Jews about purification, leading John to humbly clarify his role. He acknowledges that he is not the Christ but the one sent before Him, using the analogy of the groom and his friend to illustrate that his joy is fulfilled as Jesus increases while he decreases.
These readings teach us about the importance of humility and trust in God's plan. Like John the Baptist, we must recognize our roles and let God's will guide us. In our daily lives, we should approach prayer with confidence, trusting that God hears us and acts according to His plan. Let us embrace humility, allowing God to increase in our lives as we decrease, just as John did. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's will and practice humility, letting His light shine through us.