Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 15, 2025
First Reading: Hebrews 2.14-18
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Psalm 105
1Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.2Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.4Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.5Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,6O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.7He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,9the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.10He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:11"To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."12When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,13they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.14He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:15"Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."16He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food;17and he sent a man before them- Joseph, sold as a slave.18They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons,19till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true.20The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free.21He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed,22to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.23Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.24The LORD made his people very fruitful; he made them too numerous for their foes,25whose hearts he turned to hate his people, to conspire against his servants.26He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.27They performed his miraculous signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness and made the land dark- for had they not rebelled against his words?29He turned their waters into blood, causing their fish to die.30Their land teemed with frogs, which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers.31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.32He turned their rain into hail, with lightning throughout their land;33he struck down their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country.34He spoke, and the locusts came, grasshoppers without number;35they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil.36Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood.37He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered.38Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.39He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night.40They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.42For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.43He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;44he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for-45that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 1.29-39
29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.31So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.33The whole town gathered at the door,34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.36Simon and his companions went to look for him,37and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"38Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."39So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound insights into Jesus' mission and ministry. The first reading from Hebrews highlights Jesus' solidarity with humanity, sharing our flesh and blood to conquer death and free us from the devil's grasp. This text emphasizes Jesus' role as a merciful High Priest, uniquely qualified to help us in our struggles because He has experienced temptation and suffering.
The Gospel from Mark illustrates Jesus' active ministry, beginning with the healing of Peter's mother-in-law and continuing with healing many and casting out demons. This passage showcases Jesus' compassion and His commitment to spreading God's message, even moving to neighboring towns to preach. It underscores the essence of His mission: to heal, teach, and bring God's love to all.
These readings together remind us of Jesus' dual role as both healer and teacher. His ministry inspires us to live with compassion and purpose. In our daily lives, we can embody this by reaching out to those in need, offering support, and sharing the Good News through our actions and words. Let us draw strength from Jesus' example, trusting in His power to overcome any challenge and to serve others with love and faith.