Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 26, 2025

26th January 2025 (Sunday)

Psalter: Week 3

Reading of the Day

First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was standing higher up than any of the people —; and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 (R. see John 6:63c)

R/. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, ” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, ” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you, ” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Opener: Each of us has been given a specific mission on earth. This mission aligns with the Lord’s own mission and must be carried out faithfully and with love for one another.

1. Today’s Gospel once again presents the Lord’s well-known mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, freedom to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and a year of the Lord’s favor.” We have reflected on this passage multiple times before. It is often chosen for ordination ceremonies or anniversaries.

2. This passage highlights the mission that every follower of the Lord is called to embrace. It inspires us to take this mission seriously and reminds us that we are people driven by and devoted to this mission. It emphasizes that we share in the Lord’s mission and are expected to carry it forward.

3. This reflection should lead us to examine the depth of our commitment to the mission. How many followers of the Lord truly live with the spirit of mission? How many genuinely act as missionaries? How many can honestly claim to carry out Jesus’ mission in both word and action?

4. The Lord said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He spoke with confidence and conviction, which came from his honesty and faithfulness to his mission. Without genuineness and clarity of purpose, such conviction is impossible.

5. How many of us today can confidently say, “The Lord’s mission is being fulfilled in and through my life”? How many can affirm, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; He has anointed me”? Do we truly bring good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, and light to the blind? Or do we bring bad news, burdens, and confusion?

6. Sadly, for many, the mission manifesto is limited to preaching. Mission work often becomes mere rhetoric or scattered acts of charity, lacking genuine witness through a faithful life.

7. A true fulfillment of the mission manifesto requires humble obedience to God’s will and a deep sense of fraternity. These two aspects are highlighted in the first reading from Nehemiah and the second reading from 1 Corinthians.

8. In Nehemiah, the people wholeheartedly accept God’s word when proclaimed by Ezra. In 1 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the unity and cooperation among different parts of the body. Though the parts are diverse, they all belong to one body and contribute to its overall well-being. The actions of one part impact the whole body.

Direction: Faithfulness to God and love for others are both the signs and the tools of a genuine mission. Mission is meaningless without obedience to God and kindness toward others!