Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 25, 2026
First Reading: Isaiah 9.1-4
1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.10-13, 17-18
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Gospel: Matthew 4.12-17
12Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Sermon
Today's readings invite us to contemplate the radiant presence of God amidst human brokenness. We hear in the Gospel how Jesus, upon hearing of John the Baptist's arrest, withdraws into Galilee, specifically Capernaum, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Isaiah. For centuries, the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, often marginalized and exposed to foreign invasions, lived in a form of darkness. Isaiah foretold that a great light would dawn upon these very people, those sitting in the shadow of death. Jesus’ decision to begin his public ministry there, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near," reveals Him as this promised light, bringing hope, liberation, and the very presence of God's reign to those who most keenly felt their need for it.
This glorious light of Christ is the foundation of our faith, yet we often, like the Corinthians, stumble and lose sight of its unifying power. Saint Paul addresses the deep divisions within the Corinthian community, where people were aligning themselves with different leaders – Paul, Apollos, Cephas – rather than with Christ alone. He firmly reminds them that Christ is not divided, that they were baptized into His name, not any human's. The power of God, he insists, is found not in human wisdom or eloquence, but in the message of the Cross, which may seem foolish to the perishing but is salvation to those who believe. This teaches us that the Light of Christ, which shines into our darkness, is meant to unite us, not splinter us into factions based on personalities or preferences.
The call to repentance and the dawning of the Kingdom in Galilee are for us today. We all experience moments of spiritual or existential darkness, times when we feel oppressed, lost, or alienated. Just as Jesus brought light to a forgotten region, He desires to shine His grace into the darkest corners of our lives. Let us recognize His presence and respond to His call to turn away from sin and self-centeredness. Furthermore, let us guard against the divisive spirit that Paul condemned. Our ultimate allegiance must always be to Christ crucified and risen, the source of our unity and the sole author of our salvation. In a world so often divided, our witness must be one of profound unity in Him, reflecting the singular, undivided Light that has dawned upon us.