January 2
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
First Reading
1 John 2:22-28
Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. I write you these things about those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him.
And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Alleluia
Hebrews 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In times, past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets:
in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 1:19-28 This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.”
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Readings & Reflection
How often do we feel the need to go our own way? This way may or may not be the path that Good has for us, nevertheless we focus on John the Baptist today in the Gospel who reminds the priests and Levites that he is not the messiah but rather he says “I am the voice of the one crying out in the desert Make straight the way of the Lord.” Imagine how tempting it may have been for John to say I am the messiah and gone his own way, but he obviously did not. The blessing in all of this is that John knew his role to play and what his task was. The temptation may have been there but he knew that he was the forerunner of Christ and was to prepare those for His coming. What is your role in the world? Have you ever sat back and wondered why God Chose you to do what you do? It is an interesting question to ponder. We all know that we have a specific role to play God’s divine plan, and its not always easy to see that role. Many of us know our vocation in life and are still reassessing that role and reaffirming it each day. Take some time today and reflect on God’s plan for you in this life and how you have answered His call over the years. Thank god for keeping you on the path He chose for you and that you did not go your own way and completely disregard His plan for you.
Fr Matt Rawson
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