Thursday, January 8, 2026 · Christmas - Christmas Season
The readings keep returning to the wonder that God comes close. Stay with what Jesus says or does here, and let it ask for one honest response.
Today’s readings
First Reading
1 John 4:19-5:4
We love him, because he first loved us. If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17
God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son. He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight. He will live; and Sheba's gold will be given to him. Men will pray for him continually. They will bless him all day long. His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.
Gospel
Luke 4:14-22
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began to tell them, "Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All testified about him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"
A question for your journal
What would it look like to receive gentleness without rushing past it?
Scripture text: World English Bible Catholic Edition, public domain. Reading citations are prepared for Come Aside from MIT-licensed citation metadata.
Pray with the day
Keep the day with you.
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