Jesus brings light and healing into dark and broken places. We should come to Him, focus on Him, and not be distracted by fear or divisions (Readings for Jan. 26, 2020, Lectionary 67)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 8:23-9:3  

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14  

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, 
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Alleluia: Matthew 4:23  

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23  

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

What these readings tell us about God:

Anguish has taken wing

dispelled is darkness 

he has glorified

no gloom where ... there was distress

a great light

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed

The Lord is my light and my salvation
The LORD is my light and my salvation
The LORD is my life’s refuge
The Lord is my light and my salvation
The Lord is my light and my salvation
the bounty of the LORD

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel

cured every disease

among the people

a great light

light has arisen.

the kingdom of heaven is at hand

Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men

He called them

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people

What these readings tell us to do:

ask of the LORD 

Seek

dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life

gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate

believe
Wait for the LORD with courage

be stouthearted

wait for the LORD

agree in what you say

there be no divisions among you
be united in the same mind and in the same purpose

Repent

Come after me

At once they left ... and followed him

immediately they left ...and followed him

What these readings tell us not to do:

fear
be afraid

rivalries

God comes to us as Jesus to draw us to Him—all people everywhere. We should embrace and actively, obediently, serve Him (Readings for Jan. 19, 2020, Lectionary 64)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 

The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!

It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10  

R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!”
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia: John 1:14A, 12A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: John 1:29-34  

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

What these readings tell us about God:

You are my servant

through whom I show my glory.
the LORD has spoken

formed me as his servant from the womb

that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him

and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD

my God is now my strength!

I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth

he stooped toward me and heard my cry

he put a new song into my mouth

your justice

called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

sanctified in Christ Jesus

called to be holy

all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

their Lord and ours

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us
he gave power to become children of God

Jesus coming toward him

the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world

he existed before me

he might be made known to Israel

I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him

he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit

he is the Son of God

What these readings tell us to do:

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
waited for the LORD

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
ears open to obedience 

I come
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
to do your will, O my God, is my delight

your law is within my heart
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will
announced your justice 
I did not restrain my lips
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will

call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

accepted him

Behold[]the Lamb of God

God comes to us, comes to heal us, comes to us as Jesus. We should humbly, wholeheartedly, embrace Him (Readings for Jan. 12, 2020, Lectionary 21)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 

Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servantwhom I uphold, my chosen onewith whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called youfor the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial Psalm:Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 9-10  

R/ (11b)  The Lord will bless his people with peace.Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise,Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Reading 2: Acts 10:34-38 

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Alleluia: Mark 9:7  

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17  

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

What these readings tell us about God

my servant

whom I uphold

my chosen one

with whom I am pleased

upon whom I have put my spirit

he shall bring forth justice to the nations

not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street

A bruised reed he shall not break

he establishes justice on the earth

the coastlands will wait for his teaching

I, the LORD, have called you

for the victory of justice

I have grasped you by the hand

I formed you

set you as a covenant of the people

a light for the nations

to open the eyes of the blind

to bring out prisoners from confinement

from the dungeon, those who live in darkness

The Lord will bless his people with peace

The Lord will bless his people with peace
The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters
The voice of the LORD is mighty

the voice of the LORD is majestic

The Lord will bless his people with peace
The God of glory thunders
The LORD is enthroned above the flood

the LORD is enthroned as king forever
The Lord will bless his people with peace

God shows no partiality

in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him

he proclaimed peace through Jesus

who is Lord of all

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power

He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil

God was with him

This is my beloved Son, listen to him

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him

I need to be baptized by you

 the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him

 This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased

What these readings tell us to do

Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise
Give to the LORD the glory due his name

adore the LORD 

in his temple all say, “Glory!”

fears him 

acts uprightly 

listen to him 

I need to be baptized by you

Jesus comes to us to deliver ALL peoples from darkness. We should seek Him, worship Him, actively offer Him our gifts, resources, and talents. (Readings for January 5, 2020, Lectionary 20)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 60:1-6 

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come, the glory of the Lordshines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Readings 2: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6  

You have heard of the stewardship of God’s gracethat was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Alleluia: Matthew 2:2 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12  

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

What these readings tell us about God:

Your light has come

the glory of the Lord shines upon you

the LORD shines

his glory
Nations shall walk by your light

shining radiance

they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar

you shall be radiant at what you see

your heart shall throb and overflow

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
your judgment

your justice
He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you
he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor

the lives of the poor he shall save.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you

God’s grace

given to me for your benefit

the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel

What these readings tell us to do:

Rise up 

walk by your light

Raise your eyes and look about

All kings shall pay him homage

all nations shall serve him

saw his star

do him homage

come to do him homage

they set out

They prostrated themselves and did him homage

they opened their treasures and offered him gifts