Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 10, 2020
First Reading: 1 John 5.5-13
5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.6This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.7For there are three that testify:8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.9We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.10Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Psalm 147
1Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!2The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.4He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.5Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.6The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.8He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.9He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.10His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;11the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.12Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion,13for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.14He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.15He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.16He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.17He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?18He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.19He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.20He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 5.12-16
12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.14Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about faith and compassion. The first reading from 1 John emphasizes that victory over the world comes through belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It highlights the testimony of the Spirit, water, and blood, symbolizing the sacraments and the divine nature of Christ. The Gospel from Luke illustrates Jesus' compassion as He heals a leper, demonstrating His divine power and mercy, followed by His retreat into prayer for spiritual renewal.
These passages remind us that faith is not just intellectual assent but a deep trust in God's promises, leading to eternal life. Just as the leper trusted Jesus for healing, we must trust God in our trials. The healings and teachings of Jesus call us to live with compassion and humility, reflecting His love in our actions. After healing, Jesus withdrew to pray, showing the importance of prayer in maintaining a strong spiritual life.
In our daily lives, let us embrace faith as a living trust in God, seeking Him in prayer and emulating His compassion. May we, like the leper, approach Jesus with humility and trust, and may our actions reflect the love and mercy He has shown us. Through faith and prayer, we find the strength to overcome the world and live in the eternal life offered by Jesus Christ.