Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 25, 2026
Sunday – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
25th January 2026 (Sunday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-3
In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 R. (1a)
R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation
Third Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Jesus was proclaiming the gospel disease and every affliction among the people
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23
When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 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.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Sunday – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Main Point: God’s presence is transforming and renewing. Things change when God enters the scene and takes hold of the situation
1. Jesus begins his ministry. He immediately plunges into a threefold mission of teaching, preaching, and healing. As the Incarnate Saviour, Jesus embodies and carries God’s presence and intervention. He becomes the fulfilment of God’s assurance in the Old Testament, spelt out in the first reading.
2. Accordingly, this divine presence transforms and renews the whole life situation. Degradation will turn into glory, and darkness into light. There will be no more gloom, no more anguish or distress. It is because the yoke that burdens us, the pole on the shoulder, and the rod of the taskmaster are smashed by the Lord.
3. Thus, there will be abundant joy and rejoicing. This is the kingdom of God that Jesus proclaims and sets out to establish. Repentance is the norm of this kingdom. Repentance is the clarion call. Repentance is not a mere passing feeling of sorrow. It is a deep anguish that realises the infection of sin, stirs up the mediocre and sin-accustomed self, changes the heart, and makes a decisive break with sin.
4. In the light of the second reading, some concrete implications of such a life of repentance become clear. “Unity” is one of the most important marks of this repentance and is the eligibility for the kingdom. There shall be no divisions. All will be united in the same mind and with the same purpose. Rivalries in different camps like Apollos, Cephas, Peter, and Paul will be counter-witnesses.
5. Humility is another hallmark of repentance and the kingdom. No one shall be on the centre stage. All credit and glory are due only to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. No human eloquence or worldly wisdom can claim credit but only the holy folly of the cross of Christ.
6. Following Jesus is another essential sign of repentance and a condition for the kingdom. It is notable that as Jesus begins his mission, he immediately calls for disciples. They become the sharers and torch-bearers of the same mission.
7. Thereby, it is crystal clear that the mission of God is not only the task of God but ours as well. The gift of God’s action of upheaval calls for a response and cooperation on our part. God wants His mission to be a collaborative enterprise and project. The purpose of the call and the focus of the mission are quite evident. It is to become fishers of souls from being ordinary fishermen.
8. The call to follow Jesus places on the followers the mission of “rising in dignity” from the ordinariness of earth-bound interests and pursuits to the kingdom-oriented duty. It is to fish for souls. We can understand this in two aspects. One is, fishing the people from the evil one. The other is hauling and gaining them for God.
My Practice: The purpose, focus, and direction of our call and mission are very clear. Commitment to this alone will make our lives fulfilled
