Daily Readings for January 18, 2015

Feast of Sto. Niño

1ST READING

The Feast of the Sto. Niño reminds us to meditate upon the childhood of Jesus. Jesus was not all miracles and signs and wonders. He, too, was a child. We should deepen our faith in both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus. One way to do this is to imagine and ponder on the reality of His childhood. Here is a God and Savior who was once needy and totally dependent on others for survival.

Isaiah 9:1-6

1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him: Wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

P S AL M

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

2ND READING

The mystery of the incarnation never ceases to amaze us. It is a constant source of material for prayer and contemplation. Of all the mysteries of Christ, I find this one the most fascinating because it directly involves me. It is the same humanity that I have — that we all have — that Christ assumed in order to redeem us. What a wonderful source of food for thought.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18

3 Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and Father of our Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. 18 May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

GOSPEL

Jesus calls the children to Himself as examples of one aspect of discipleship — that of unreflective trust in the providence and care of God our Father. Many people do not have a good relationship with their father, nevertheless, the Church has and will continue to use this image for explaining at least some aspect of our relationship with God. Let us pray for the grace to look beyond the shortcoming of our father and open our lives more fully to God, the perfect father.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com