January 10, Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 43:1-7: The prophet declares the pending redemption of the people of Israel from the bondage in Babylon and reminds them in the name of the Lord: "I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you." Psalm 29: Is a hymn of praise to God the Creator. Acts 8:14-17: Peter and John are sent from Jerusalem to Samaria to meet with believers there who had not received the gift of the Holy Spirit at their baptisms. Through the gift of their prayer and laying on of hands, the Spirit was imparted to them. Luke 3:15-27, 21-22: Tells the story of the baptism of Jesus, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon him in the form of a dove, and the voice from heaven declaring: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
January 17, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 62:1-5: The prophet continues to proclaim the imminent redemption of the people of Israel which the nations will see as a vindication of Israel's identity as a people chosen of God. "You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married." Psalm 36:5-10: a song of praise for the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11: Here St. Paul writes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon believers, the very variety of the gifts serving as a witness to the rich diversity that is essential to the unity of the church. John 2:1-11: Jesus performs the first miracle of his public ministry at the wedding feats in Cana where, at his mother's urging, he supplies a shortage of wine by turning water into wine. The passage concludes: "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
January 24, 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Scottish Heritage Sunday)
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10: This gives an account of the people of Israel, now freed from bondage and returned to their homeland, hearing a reading of the rediscovered torah or law. As the words of the text are explained to them, they begin to weep, but they are told by Ezra and Nehemiah that the day was not one of sorrow but rejoicing "for the joy of the Lord in your strength." Psalm 19: Is a hymn of praise to God as creator and as giver of the law, both gracious gifts of a generous God. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a: This passage continues the theme of the gifts of the Spirit and the unity of the church begun in the reading from the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time by introducing the church as the body of Christ. Luke 4:14-21: Jesus begins his public ministry by teaching in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. He declares his calling quoting from the prophet Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor . . ." and concludes by telling those in attendance: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
January 31, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 1:4-10: Tells the story of the Jeremiah's call and his equipment for his prophetic calling. Jeremiah did not seek this work and even pointed out to the Lord his own deficiencies, but the Lord dismisses them and tells the prophet-to-be: "you shall go to all whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you." Psalm 71:1-6: The psalmist declares his dependence upon the Lord and cries out to the Lord to rescue him from his enemies. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: This is St. Paul's much-celebrated song of love given to the Corinthians as a prescription for "a still more excellent way" in the Christian life. Some may boast of tongues, others of the gift of miracles, still others the power to heal, and while all are worthy gifts of the Spirit, apart from love they are nothing. Luke 4:21-20: continues the reading from January 24. The response of Jesus' neighbors to his teaching in the synagogue is at first one of admiration, which then melted into contempt, and concluded, in a foiled attempt to throw him off the cliff."
