Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 10, 2025
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the transformative grace of God. In the first reading from 1 John, we are reminded that belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the key to overcoming the world. John emphasizes the unity of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, who together testify to the truth of God’s love. He also highlights the importance of accepting this divine testimony, for it is through faith in the Son that we receive eternal life. The reading concludes with a reassuring message: those who believe in Jesus have eternal life, and this life is a gift from God.
In the Gospel, Luke presents us with a vivid scene of Jesus healing a man afflicted with leprosy. The leper, aware of his own unworthiness, humbly asks Jesus to cleanse him if he is willing. Jesus, moved by compassion, touches the man and heals him instantly. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus’ divine authority but also his deep love for those on the margins of society. The instruction to “show yourself to the priest” serves as a testament to the healing power of God, while Jesus’ withdrawal to the desert for prayer reminds us of the importance of seeking solitude and communion with God.
These readings are deeply connected. Both highlight the transformative power of faith and the grace of God. In 1 John, faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, while in Luke, the leper’s faith leads to his physical and spiritual healing. Together, they remind us that our faith must be active and trusting, even in the face of uncertainty. As we go about our daily lives, let us turn to God with the same humility and trust as the leper, knowing that God’s love and grace can transform even the darkest corners of our lives. May we also remember to withdraw into prayer, like Jesus, to recharge and deepen our relationship with him.