Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 18, 2026
Sunday – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
18th January 2026 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
The Lord said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 R.(8a and 9a)
R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, to all who did receive him, he gave the right to become children of God.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: John 1:29-34
At that time: John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Main Point: We are called to see and experience God’s love personally and deeply. That experience should also lead us to bear witness to it
1. Today’s Word of God highlights and revolves around the theme of “Testimony”. In the first reading, the prophet bears testimony. In the second reading, Paul bears testimony. In the gospel, John the Baptist bears testimony..he prophet testifies to his identity as God’s servant, Paul, as an apostle, and John the Baptist, as the baptiser and precursor of the Messiah.
2. Accordingly, the prophet testifies to his mission to “bring back Israel, to raise up and restore them”. It is a mission of becoming a “light to the nations”, so that God’s salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
3. Paul testifies to his mission as an apostle who helps and sustains the faithful in their being sanctified in Christ Jesus, in living their call to be holy, and in ensuring grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. John the Baptist testifies to his mission as a testimony to the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the pre-existent one. He is the one, overshadowed and filled by the Holy Spirit. He would remain with the Holy Spirit and baptise all with the Holy Spirit.
5. This testimony is marked by conviction, deep humility, surrender, and commitment. None of these, that is neither the prophet nor the apostle nor the Baptiser was puffed up by the greatness of their vocation.
6. The prophet was the mouthpiece of God; the apostle was the spiritual father and leader of the communities; and the Baptiser was the precursor to the Messiah. But they never put on airs.
7. Their life was an unfailing and unceasing act of surrender. Their only focus was doing God’s will. And for that sake, they would set aside and give up all their personal interests and plans. They would willingly accept and bear affliction and persecution. They were totally and unswervingly committed to the mission entrusted to them.
8. Today, the same identity is ours. The same mission is also ours. Our identity is being servants, prophets, spokesmen, apostles, spiritual fathers and leaders, and precursors with the same implications. Our mission in essence is to bear testimony, to testify to the Lord, that is his own identity and mission.
My Practice: The living of our identity and mission becomes possible only by deepening our conviction and passion for the Lord
