Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 29, 2025
First Reading: 1 John 2.3-11
3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Psalm 96
1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.2Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Gospel: Luke 2.22-35
22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;23As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;35Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Sermon
The first reading from St. John reminds us that our claim to know God is validated not by words, but by deeds—specifically, by observing His commandments. The foundational commandment, both ancient and perpetually new, is to love one another. To say we abide in the light while harboring hatred for a brother is a contradiction, for hatred keeps us in darkness, blinding us to our true path. True love perfects God's charity within us and assures us of our dwelling in Him, compelling us to walk as Christ Himself walked.
In the Gospel, we witness the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, an act of humble obedience to the Mosaic Law. Here, the holy man Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Christ. He proclaims Him to be "a light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." This divine light, foretold by prophecy, is the very truth that St. John speaks of. Jesus, the Light, comes into the world not just to illuminate, but also to reveal the hidden thoughts of many hearts, bringing about ruin for some and resurrection for others, a truth that will pierce even Mary's soul.
These readings illuminate each other beautifully. The light St. John speaks of, which dispels darkness and calls us to love, is embodied perfectly in Jesus, whom Simeon recognizes as the "Light of revelation." To walk in this light, as St. John exhorts, means actively choosing love over hatred in our daily lives, allowing the presence of Christ to shine through our actions and interactions. It means permitting His light to penetrate our own hearts, revealing our true dispositions and challenging us to shed any lingering shadows of animosity. Our participation in this divine light is not merely intellectual assent, but a transformative commitment to charity, confirming our authentic relationship with God and revealing to the world the transformative power of His love, even amidst the contradictions and challenges of life.