Daily Mass Readings – Saturday, 9 January 2027

14 And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That, whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he heareth us.

15 And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we have the petitions which we request of him.

16 He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask.

17 All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: but the generation of God preserveth him, and the wicked one toucheth him not.

19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world is seated in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come: and he hath given us understanding that we may know the true God, and may be in his true Son. This is the true God and life eternal.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

R. (4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

1 Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

3 Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

4 For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

5 The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.

6a The high praise of God shall be in their mouth.

9b This glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

16 The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

22 After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea: and there he abode with them, and baptized.

23 And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized.

24 For John was not yet cast into prison.

25 And there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews concerning purification:

26 And they came to John, and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony, behold he baptizeth, and all men come to him.

27 John answered, and said: A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be given him from heaven.

28 You yourselves do bear me witness, that I said, I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him.

29 He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom’s voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John shows us the freedom of a disciple who knows where everything comes from: “A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be given him from heaven.” He does not grasp at attention or recognition. He rejoices because the Bridegroom has come, and his joy is complete when Christ is seen more clearly. “He must increase, but I must decrease” is not a rejection of his worth; it is the proper order of love. Jesus is the true Son of God, the light rising over those in darkness, and eternal life is found in knowing him.

This same trust shapes the first reading. Because we belong to God, we can pray with confidence, asking according to his will and bringing before him a brother or sister who has fallen into sin. Prayer becomes an act of love rather than control: we place others and ourselves in the hands of the God who gives life. The Lord takes delight in his people, especially the meek, and calls us to keep our hearts free from idols—anything that competes with Christ for first place. A practical prayer for today may be simple: “Lord, increase in me; teach me to rejoice when your light and life reach others.”

Father in heaven, you are the source of every good gift and the God who gives life. Teach me to trust your will when I pray, and make me faithful in praying for those who have wandered into sin. Free my heart from every idol that diminishes my love for you. Like John, may I rejoice in the presence of Christ and gladly allow him to increase in my life. Let your light guide me through darkness, preserve me as one born of you, and make my words and actions point gently toward your Son, our true God and eternal life. Amen.