Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 9, 2026
First Reading: 1 John 5.5-13
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.10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Psalm 147
1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 5.12-16
12And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.14And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.15But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.16And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Sermon
Today's first reading from 1 John reminds us that it is only through belief in Jesus as the Son of God that we overcome the world and receive the gift of eternal life. The Apostle emphasizes the divine testimony concerning Christ—by water and blood, and by the Spirit—affirming the truth of His identity and saving work. This divine assurance is far greater than any human word. In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a powerful illustration of this truth as Jesus meets a man full of leprosy, a condition that brought not only physical suffering but also social and religious ostracization. With profound humility, the leper approaches Jesus, trusting in His power and willingness to cleanse him. And Jesus, full of compassion, extends His hand, touches him—an act that would make others unclean—and immediately restores him to health and wholeness.
Both readings, therefore, speak to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. While 1 John speaks of the spiritual victory over the world and the promise of eternal life through faith, Luke shows us a tangible demonstration of Christ's authority and boundless compassion. The physical cleansing of the leper, who was effectively dead to society, prefigures the spiritual cleansing from sin and the new life offered to all who believe. Just as the leper's healing served as a testimony for the priests, so too does God's testimony about His Son, received through faith, assure us of our salvation. Jesus' willingness to touch the untouchable demonstrates His desire to reach us in our own uncleanness, whatever our struggles or sins may be, and make us whole.
In our daily lives, we face various forms of "leprosy"—sins, anxieties, isolating fears, or despair that threaten to separate us from God and neighbor. Like the leper, we are called to approach Jesus with humble trust, believing in His unwavering willingness and power to cleanse and heal us. And as 1 John assures us, this belief is not in vain; it is the source of our victory and the foundation of our hope for eternal life. Let us also remember Jesus' example of withdrawing to pray after this powerful healing, reminding us that even amidst active service and overwhelming demands, our spiritual strength comes from constant communion with the Father. May our lives, touched and transformed by Christ, also become a living testimony to His enduring love and saving grace.