Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 6, 2022
First Reading: 1 John 4.19 – 5.4
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Psalm 72
1Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.2He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.3The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.4He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.5He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.6He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.7In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.8He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.9The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust.10The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.11All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.12For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.13He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.14He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.15Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.16Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field.17May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.18Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.19Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.20This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.
Gospel: Luke 4.14-22a
14Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.15He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him,21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages about love, faith, and service. The first reading from 1 John reminds us that genuine love for God is inseparable from love for our neighbors. John emphasizes that loving God, whom we cannot see, is only possible if we love those around us, whom we can see. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments. The reading also highlights the power of faith, noting that it overcomes the challenges of the world.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus in Nazareth, where He announces the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus' mission is clear: to bring hope to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and liberate those oppressed. This passage sets the tone for Jesus' ministry, emphasizing compassion and service to those on the margins. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on love and service as expressions of faith. John's epistle calls us to love actively, while Luke's Gospel shows Jesus embodying this love through His mission.
As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to examine how we live out our faith. Are we merely spectators, or are we actively engaged in serving others? Let us ask ourselves: How can we, like Jesus, bring light and hope to those around us? Perhaps it's through a kind word, a listening ear, or advocating for justice. May we remember that our faith is not just about belief but about putting love into action. As we go about our daily lives, may we embody the love of God, just as Jesus did, and may our actions reflect the transformative power of His mission.