Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 10, 2026

10th January 2026 (Saturday)

Psalter: Week 2

Readings of the Day

First Reading: 1 John 5:14-21

Beloved: This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b R. (see 4a)

R/. The Lord takes delight in his people or Alleluia

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: John 3:22-30

At that time: Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Saturday – After Epiphany

Main Point: Those who are born of God, who are of God, will not commit sin. Further what they ask of God according to His holy will, will receive it

1. The disciples of John the Baptist act in a typical human way: they feel jealous and threatened at the rising popularity of Jesus; they feel worried that their own master may lose his following. They turn to their master.

2. John the Baptist corrects their thinking and clarifies once again about himself and Jesus. In all humility, he is prepared to recede to the background as Jesus steps on to the centre stage. In all magnanimity, he reiterates his subsidiary role as the friend of the bridegroom and not the bridegroom.

3. Jesus is the real bridegroom, and the Baptist’s duty as his friend is to rejoice in his presence and make sure that the focus is directed on to him. John the Baptist is an imitable example for us to emulate.

4. He is not carried away by jealousy at the rising popularity of Jesus. He is not agitated and driven by ego-projection or ego-promotion. He is so authentic to be deeply conscious of his true identity as the precursor of the awaited Messiah who prepares the way for him. He is so humble to allow himself to decrease and promote Jesus to increase.

5. How often many of the present disciples can be bubbling and churning with jealousy! They feel so disturbed at the rising of others. The whole reason is the excessive tendency of self-seeking which falls short in humility and magnanimity.

My Practice: We are only the servants and disciples and never the lords and the masters. Let us not dethrone God Himself to steal the show!