Daily Mass Readings – Saturday, 1 January 2028

22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

23 Say to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the children of Israel, and you shall say to them:

24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

25 The Lord shew his face to thee, and have mercy on thee.

26 The Lord turn his countenance to thee, and give thee peace.

27 And they shall invoke my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

R. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.

2 May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.

3 That we may know thy way upon earth: thy salvation in all nations.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

5 Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

6 Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee:

8 May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

5 That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.

7 Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1-2 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.

18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

God’s blessing is revealed as his loving presence. The blessing given through Moses speaks of the Lord’s face shining upon his people, of mercy, protection, and peace. In the fullness of time, that blessing takes a human face: Jesus, the Son sent to redeem us and bring us into the life of adopted children. Through him, the Spirit teaches us to cry, “Abba, Father.” We do not stand before God as strangers or slaves, but as beloved sons and daughters and heirs.

The shepherds receive the message, go in haste, recognize what God has done, and return praising him. Mary responds differently: she keeps the words and events in her heart, pondering them. Both responses belong to faith—receiving God’s word, allowing it to take root, and then living with grateful praise. The name Jesus, given as God commanded, tells us that salvation is not an idea distant from us. In Christ, God has spoken decisively and drawn near. We can carry his blessing into ordinary moments by trusting the Father, making room for prayerful reflection, and letting our words and actions become signs of his peace.

Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to redeem us and make us your children. Let the light of your face shine upon us, and fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit who teaches us to call you Abba. Give us Mary’s quiet faith to ponder your word and the shepherds’ joy to praise you for what we have received. May your peace govern our thoughts, words, and choices, so that those we meet may glimpse your mercy through us. Keep us close to Jesus, whose holy name is our salvation. Amen.