Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 30, 2025
First Reading: 1 John 2.12-17
12I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.13I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.14I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Psalm 96
1Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.2Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.4For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.9Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.11Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;12let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;13they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.
Gospel: Luke 2.36-40
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Sermon
Today's first reading from the Apostle John offers a profound spiritual reflection for believers at every stage of their journey. He reassures us that our sins are forgiven, and reminds us that through Christ, we have overcome the evil one. This passage then presents a stark contrast, urging us not to love the world nor its fleeting desires—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These worldly attachments are temporary and pass away, while doing the will of God leads to eternal life. John is calling us to discern where our true affections lie, emphasizing the transient nature of worldly pursuits compared to the enduring reality of God’s kingdom.
This call to discernment is beautifully illuminated by the Gospel account of the prophetess Anna. For eighty-four years, this holy widow dedicated her life to God within the temple, serving Him with fasting and prayer day and night. Her unwavering devotion meant she recognized the infant Jesus as the promised Redeemer and joyfully proclaimed Him to all who awaited salvation in Israel. Anna embodies the very essence of "not loving the world" and "doing the will of God." Her life was not consumed by the desires of the flesh or the pride of life, but by a singular focus on God, His presence, and His promises. She demonstrates how a heart detached from worldly distractions becomes acutely sensitive to divine revelation and purpose, allowing her to recognize Christ and testify to Him.
Taken together, these readings invite us to examine our own lives: Are we living for what is temporary, or for what is eternal? Like Anna, who persevered in prayer and service, our commitment to God's will provides true strength and wisdom, nurturing us in grace as Jesus himself grew in Nazareth. Let us strive to cultivate a heart that prioritizes God above all else, choosing His abiding will over the fleeting allure of the world, knowing that in Him alone do we find true peace, purpose, and eternal life.