Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Psalm 29
1Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.6He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.7The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.9The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.10The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.11The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Second Reading: Acts 10.34-38
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Gospel: Matthew 3.13-17
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Sermon
Today's readings reveal God's profound plan for salvation, starting with Isaiah's prophecy of a chosen servant, upheld by the Spirit, who will gently bring justice to the nations and be a light to the Gentiles, opening blind eyes and freeing prisoners. We see this prophecy fulfilled in the Gospel of Matthew as Jesus, though sinless, humbly comes to John for baptism "to fulfill all righteousness." At this pivotal moment, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father's voice declares, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This divine affirmation identifies Jesus as the Spirit-anointed servant. Peter's realization in the Acts of the Apostles – that God shows no partiality, and anyone from any nation who fears Him and acts justly is acceptable – echoes Isaiah's vision and confirms the universal scope of Jesus' mission, proclaiming peace and traveling around "doing good and healing all those oppressed."
Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry, a profound act of humility and obedience that inaugurates His work of redemption. He embodies the gentle yet powerful justice foretold by Isaiah, not breaking the bruised reed nor extinguishing the smoldering wick, yet firmly establishing judgment. Through our own baptism, we too are called to participate in this mission, empowered by the same Holy Spirit. Peter's revelation challenges us to overcome any prejudices, recognizing that God's saving grace extends to every person, without distinction. We are called to live out Christ's Spirit-filled mission in our daily lives, striving to "do good" and bring healing, spiritual light, and liberating truth to those around us, reflecting the inclusive love and justice of God in a world often overshadowed by division and despair.