Daily Readings - Sun Jan 19 2020
Isaiah
3He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."5And now the LORD says- he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength-6he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
1 Corinthians
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours:3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of identity, mission, and the universal call to holiness. The first reading from Isaiah presents the prophet as a servant of God, called not only to restore Israel but also to be a light to the Gentiles. This passage emphasizes God’s broader plan of salvation, which extends beyond the chosen people to all nations. The second reading from 1 Corinthians introduces Paul, who humbly identifies himself as an apostle by God’s will, addressing a diverse church in Corinth. He reminds them of their sanctification in Christ and their unity in faith. The Gospel from John vividly describes John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God, highlighting Jesus’ divine mission and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Isaiah’s servant song points to a future messiah who would bring light to all people, and John’s Gospel reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians underscores the universal scope of Christ’s mission, as the church at Corinth, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is called to holiness. Together, the readings remind us that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to a select few but is intended for the entire world.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own identity and mission as followers of Christ. Like Isaiah and Paul, we are called to be servants and witnesses of God’s love. John the Baptist’s humility and willingness to step aside for Jesus challenge us to recognize our role in pointing others to Christ. Let us embrace our calling to be light in the darkness, to serve with humility, and to share the Good News with all we encounter. May we, like the Corinthians, grow in holiness and unity, knowing that we are part of a universal family of faith.