Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 26, 2025
First Reading: Nehemiah 8.2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
2So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.3He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.4Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.5Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.6Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.8They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.10Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Psalm 19
1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.3There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.4Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,5which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.8The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.9The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.11By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.13Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.12-14, 27
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Gospel: Luke 1.1-4; 4.14-21
1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
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."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of God’s Word and its transformative impact on our lives and communities. In the first reading from Nehemiah, we see the people of Israel gathered to hear Ezra read from the law. This moment is deeply emotional for them; they weep as they listen to the words of the law, recognizing how far they have strayed from God’s ways. Yet Ezra and Nehemiah remind them that this day is holy, a time not for mourning but for celebration and joy. The people are called to share in the richness of God’s love and to extend that love to others, even to those who have not prepared for themselves. This reading reminds us that God’s Word has the power to convict us, but it also brings us hope and strength.
In the second reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. Just as a human body is made up of many parts, each with its own function, so too is the Church. We are all part of Christ’s body, and each of us has a unique role to play in building up the community. This reading challenges us to recognize our interconnectedness and to value the contributions of every member, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. It is through this unity in diversity that we truly become the body of Christ, living out the love and mission of Jesus in the world.
In the Gospel, Luke shows us Jesus fulfilling his mission as the Messiah. He reads from the prophet Isaiah, announcing that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, anointing him to bring good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. This passage is a declaration of Jesus’ identity and purpose. It also reminds us that we, as his followers, are called to continue his mission. Just as the Spirit was upon Jesus, the same Spirit dwells within us, empowering us to live out the values of the kingdom of God.
Today’s readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God’s Word and our place within the body of Christ. Like the people in Nehemiah, we are invited to listen to God’s Word with open hearts, allowing it to transform us and bring us joy. Like Paul’s vision of the Church, we are reminded that we are not alone but are part of a larger community, each with a unique role to play. And like Jesus, we are called to live out the mission of love and compassion in the world. May we embrace these truths and allow them to shape our lives, so that we may truly be the body of Christ, living in unity, joy, and service to others.