Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 2, 2026
First Reading: 1 John 2.22-28
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Psalm 98
1O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.2The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.3He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.5Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.6With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.8Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together9Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Gospel: John 1.19-28
19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Sermon
The first reading from 1 John encourages us to remain steadfast in the truth we have heard from the beginning: that Jesus is the Christ. It warns against those who deny this fundamental truth, identifying them as antichrist spirits, and assures us that abiding in this truth means abiding in both the Son and the Father, leading to the promise of eternal life. The anointing we have received, the passage explains, teaches us all truth and guides us to remain in Him. In the Gospel of John, we witness John the Baptist embodying this commitment to truth, as he humbly and clearly denies being the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet. Instead, he identifies himself solely as a voice preparing the way for the Lord, acknowledging his unworthiness even to untie the laces of the one who stands among them, whom they do not yet know.
These readings powerfully converge on the theme of truth and identity. 1 John calls us to discern and confess the true identity of Jesus as the Christ, guarding our faith against any denial or deception. John the Baptist serves as a profound example of this discernment. He does not allow himself to be misidentified or elevated beyond his true calling. His humility in pointing away from himself and towards the true Messiah is a powerful testament to living in the truth. Just as the anointing in 1 John teaches us, John the Baptist's life teaches us to focus not on our own significance, but on the One who truly matters, preparing our hearts and the hearts of others for His coming.
In our own lives, we are constantly invited to embrace or deny the truth of Christ. This means not only intellectual assent but living a life that reflects our belief in Him as Lord and Savior. We are called to embody John the Baptist's humility, always directing attention to Christ rather than ourselves, and to rely on the Spirit's anointing to discern the truth amidst the many competing voices in the world. Our steadfastness in confessing Jesus as the Christ, and our willingness to make His way straight in our own hearts and actions, is how we truly abide in Him and receive the promise of eternal life.