Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 26, 2020
First Reading: Isaiah 9.1-4
1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.4For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?2When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.4One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.7Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.8My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.10Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.11Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.13I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.14Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1.10-13, 17-18
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas "; still another, "I follow Christ."13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Gospel: Matthew 4.12-17
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of light, unity, and the call to repentance. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear of a people who have walked in darkness but have now seen a great light. This prophecy speaks of a time when God’s presence will bring hope and liberation to those living in the shadow of death. The passage is set in a time when Israel was oppressed, longing for deliverance, and Isaiah’s words point to a future where God’s light will break through the darkness. This light is not just a metaphor but a promise of salvation and restoration.
In the Gospel, Matthew shows us how this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. After hearing of John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, a region often looked down upon by the Jewish leaders. By settling in Capernaum, near the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jesus is deliberately fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. He begins his ministry by preaching a simple yet profound message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This call to repentance is not about fear or condemnation but about turning back to God and embracing the light of His kingdom. Jesus’ presence in Galilee signifies that God’s light is not confined to a select few but is available to all, especially those on the margins.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that this light of Christ is not just for individuals but also calls us to unity. Paul urges the Corinthians to avoid divisions and to speak with one mind and judgment. He emphasizes that Christ is not divided and that our unity is rooted in the power of the cross. The cross, which may seem foolish to the world, is the source of God’s power and wisdom for those who believe. These readings, taken together, remind us that we are called to live as people of light, united in Christ, and to share this light with a world still walking in darkness. May we, like the people of Galilee, open our hearts to the light of Christ and allow it to transform our lives.