Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 10, 2026
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 our first reading from the Letter of John, we are reminded of the profound confidence we can have in our prayers, provided they are in accordance with God's will. It speaks of the grace available for our brothers and sisters who sin, urging us to intercede for them, while distinguishing between sins that lead to death and those that do not. Fundamentally, this passage reassures us of our identity as those born of God, preserved from the evil one, and given true understanding through the Son of God, warning us to guard against any form of false worship. This spiritual clarity and assurance of identity lay the groundwork for understanding the humility we witness in the Gospel.
The Gospel today presents John the Baptist at a pivotal moment. His disciples come to him, concerned that Jesus is now baptizing and drawing larger crowds. John’s response is a profound lesson in humility and divine perspective. He states that a man can receive nothing unless it is given to him from heaven, affirming his clear role as the forerunner who prepares the way, not the Christ himself. His joyous declaration, “He must increase, while I must decrease,” beautifully encapsulates his mission. Just as the friend of the groom rejoices at the groom’s voice, John finds his joy fulfilled in witnessing the emergence of the Messiah.
These readings profoundly challenge us to examine our own lives. Just as John the Baptist understood his role and humbly stepped aside so that Christ might be glorified, we too are called to decrease in our own self-importance, ambitions, and desires for worldly recognition, allowing Christ to increase within us and through our actions. Our confidence in prayer, as described in 1 John, stems from knowing the true God revealed by Jesus. This knowledge helps us align our will with His, ensuring that our lives, like John's, point towards Christ, preventing any form of false worship or seeking glory for ourselves. In our daily interactions, in our service, and in our very being, let us strive to echo John’s words, making room for Christ to be magnified, for it is in His increase that we find our true life and purpose.