Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 22, 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter a powerful narrative of light overcoming darkness, unity amidst division, and the call to embody this light in our lives. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a people emerging from the shadows into the radiance of God's promise, a beacon of hope in desperate times. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, illuminating the lives of those who dwelled in darkness. Here, Jesus not only embodies the light but also calls us to a life of repentance and readiness for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Yet, as we bask in the light of Christ, we are reminded by St. Paul in Corinthians of the importance of unity. The early Christian community, much like our own, faced the temptation of division—whether through factions or personal pride. Paul urges us to transcend these divisions, to find our common ground in Christ. The Cross of Christ, he reminds us, is both foolishness to those who perish and the power of God to those who believe. It is through this power that we are called to unity, not in our own strength, but in the grace of God.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we might be the light in our own darkened world. In a time where division and discord often dominate, we are called to be agents of unity and hope. Let us embrace the call to repentance, turning away from the shadows of our own making and towards the light of Christ. May we, as children of light, reflect God's love in all we do, bringing hope to those around us and living as one in Christ.