Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 04, 2025
Weekday Octave Before Epiphany
04th January 2025 (Saturday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 John 3:7-10
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Psalm 98:1, 7-9ab, 9cd (R. 3cd)
R/. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. At many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: John 1:35-42
At that time: John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
Daily Gospel Reflection
Saturday – Before Epiphany
Guidelines: Most of us search for something more in our life in order to find the purpose. Yet very often we are not sure what we are truly seeking. This sought of seeking is a journey of openness which contains mystery, that can only be fulfilled by the presence of God is our life.
1. John the Baptist was a true guide. He recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God—the one who would take on the weight of the world’s sins. In an act of profound humility, John directs his own followers to Jesus. He doesn’t hold on to them possessively. Instead, he points them to the ultimate source of life, showing what it truly means to lead—by guiding others toward something greater.
2. Without hesitation, the two disciples of John leave him and follow Jesus. This isn’t a betrayal or a sign of instability, but a beautiful demonstration of their deep yearning for the truth and something greater. Their decision reflects a spirit of genuine search—an inner drive to find what is real and lasting.
3. These disciples weren’t the type to blindly follow without question. They weren’t caught up in loyalty for loyalty’s sake. Instead, their hearts were open, eager to know for themselves who Jesus truly was. They set out on their journey with sincerity and a readiness to embrace the truth, wherever it might lead.
4. When they stayed with Jesus, they encountered something extraordinary. In Him, they discovered the Messiah, the very One they had been seeking. Their search had been purposeful and successful, but what they found was beyond their expectations—it was more than just what they had hoped for.
5. At first, they simply wanted to know where Jesus was staying. But as they spent time with Him, they realized they had encountered something far greater than a physical place. They had discovered a person—someone who changed everything. Their search became not about finding a location, but about encountering a life-transforming relationship with Jesus.
6. This experience was too powerful to keep to themselves. When we truly encounter Jesus, we can’t help but share that love and truth with others. Andrew, moved by the beauty of his encounter with Jesus, immediately brings his brother Peter to meet the Lord, too.
Practice: True loyalty isn’t about mindlessly following anything lesser or false. It’s about searching for the higher, for the truth, and making a commitment to it. For those who follow Christ, the greatest discovery is not just what we find, but who we find: the Lord Himself.