Christmas Weekday on January 5
Daily Mass Readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 5
- First Reading – 1 John 3:11-21: We must love each other, contrasting Cain’s hatred. Love signifies our passage from death to life. True love acts selflessly, unlike the unloving who remain in death’s state.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 100: All lands sing joyfully to the LORD, acknowledging Him as our Creator and Shepherd. Enter His presence with gratitude and praise, celebrating His enduring kindness and faithfulness.
- Gospel – John 1:43-51: Philip, having met Jesus, informed Nathanael about finding the one foretold by Moses and the prophets: Jesus from Nazareth. Nathanael’s initial doubt was met with Jesus’ insightful greeting, recognizing his character. Astonished by Jesus’ knowledge of him, Nathanael acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus promised Nathanael that he would witness even greater signs, including a vision of angels connecting heaven and earth through the Son of Man.
John 1:51
And Jesus said to Nathanael, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Themes for the Readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 5
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us of the love and calling of Jesus. The readings invite us to reflect on how we treat others and how we respond to God’s call in our lives.
- Loving One Another: The first reading teaches that true faith is shown through love. God calls us to care for each other with kindness and generosity.
- Rejecting Hatred: The reading warns against hatred and jealousy. We are called to choose love instead of resentment, just as Jesus showed us.
- Trusting in God’s Presence: Jesus sees Nathanael before Nathanael even meets Him. This reminds us that God knows us completely and invites us to trust Him.
- Following Jesus’ Call: Jesus calls Philip to follow Him. This shows that God invites each of us personally to walk in faith and share His love.
- Faith Beyond Appearances: Nathanael doubts that anything good can come from Nazareth. This reminds us not to judge by appearances but to keep our hearts open to God’s work.
- Confidence in God’s Love: The reading reassures us that even when we feel unworthy, God still loves us. We are encouraged to trust in His mercy and live in that love.
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 encourages us to love others and trust in God’s call. The readings help us see how faith shapes our actions and relationships.
Reflection for a Christmas Weekday on January 5
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 invites us to reflect on love, faith, and answering God’s call. The readings remind us that faith is not just about words but about how we live each day. Jesus calls each of us to follow Him, trust in His plan, and show love to others. These reflections help us see how we can grow in faith and share God’s love in our daily lives.
Loving One Another
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that love is the foundation of true faith. The first reading teaches that we must love one another not just with words but through our actions. Love is not just a feeling; it is a choice we make every day. God calls us to care for others with kindness and generosity, just as He loves us.
Love is sometimes easy when people are kind to us. But the real test comes when we are asked to love those who are difficult, those who hurt us, or those we do not understand. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 challenges us to put love first, even when it is not easy. Love is not just about grand gestures; small acts of kindness can bring light into someone’s life.
Jesus shows us the greatest example of love. He welcomed everyone, even those who doubted Him or treated Him unfairly. He calls us to do the same. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 encourages us to look at how we treat others. Are we showing love in our daily lives? Are we patient, forgiving, and kind? Choosing love brings us closer to God and to one another.
Faith Beyond Appearances
Nathanael had doubts when he first heard about Jesus. He did not believe anything good could come from Nazareth. But when he met Jesus, his heart changed. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 teaches us that faith goes beyond what we see on the surface. We must be open to God’s work in unexpected places.
Sometimes we judge too quickly. We form opinions about people or situations without looking deeper. Nathanael almost missed the chance to follow Jesus because of his first impression. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 challenges us to be open to new experiences and to trust that God can work in ways we do not expect.
Jesus saw something special in Nathanael, even before they spoke. He sees the same in each of us. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that God knows our hearts. He calls us to move past our doubts and trust in His plan. When we look beyond appearances and open our hearts, we can see God’s presence in places we never expected.
Saying Yes to God’s Call
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 shows us how faith begins with an invitation. Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, and Philip responds right away. Philip then invites Nathanael to meet Jesus, sharing his excitement and faith. This reminds us that following Jesus often starts with a simple yes.
Philip did not wait until he had all the answers. He followed Jesus without hesitation. Faith is not about knowing everything; it is about trusting God and taking the next step. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 encourages us to listen for Jesus’ call in our lives. He invites each of us to walk with Him, just as He called Philip and Nathanael.
Sometimes God’s call comes through other people, like Philip inviting Nathanael. We are also called to share our faith with others. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 challenges us to be like Philip. Are we open to hearing Jesus’ call? Are we willing to share His love with others? Saying yes to God can lead us to something greater than we ever imagined.
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that faith requires action, trust, and an open heart. Jesus calls each of us to follow Him, just as He called Philip and Nathanael. By showing love, keeping our hearts open, and saying yes to God’s call, we grow closer to Him and help others do the same.
Prayer
Lord, help us to love others as You have loved us. Teach us to trust in Your plan, even when we do not understand. Give us the courage to follow Your call and share our faith with others. Open our hearts to see You in unexpected places. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can you show love through your actions, not just words?
- Are there times when you judge too quickly instead of trusting in God’s plan?
- How can you be more open to following Jesus in your daily life?
- Who in your life might need an invitation to know Jesus better?
Homilies and Commentaries for a Christmas Weekday on January 5
Recognizing Jesus as the True Center
On a Christmas Weekday on January 5, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on Nathaniel’s recognition of Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Once a person accepts Jesus as the highest good, everything else takes its proper place. Everyone has something they place at the center of their life—money, power, success, or even family. While these things are not bad, making them the ultimate focus leads to imbalance.
Bishop Barron reminds believers that only Jesus should be at the center. When anything else takes His place, spiritual life suffers. True peace and order come when Jesus is the foundation of everything. Like Nathaniel, those who choose Christ will find that everything else falls into place. Letting go of false priorities and trusting in Jesus brings lasting fulfillment and prevents the inner turmoil that comes from clinging too tightly to worldly things.
What Good Can Come from Your Hometown?
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that God calls each of us to follow Him, just as He called Philip and Nathanael. At first, Nathanael doubted, but he opened his heart and recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Sometimes, we struggle to believe that something good can come from unexpected places, even in our own lives. But Jesus sees more in us than we see in ourselves. He calls us to trust Him, step out of our doubts, and follow where He leads.
Fr. Brian Guadalupe Walker shares how he once feared speaking in front of people, yet God led him to be a preacher. His story reminds us that we all have fears and challenges, but God helps us grow. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 teaches that we are called to share our faith, even when it feels difficult. Just as Philip invited Nathanael to meet Jesus, we are invited to trust in God’s plan and follow Him with confidence.
Incarnation and New Beginnings
Saint John Neumann, celebrated today, was a Redemptorist missionary and the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, as well as the first American bishop to be canonized. He founded the first Catholic diocesan school system in the U.S., exemplifying the value of Catholic education.
This USCCB video reflection for a Christmas weekday on January 5 ties this to the Gospel’s question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”, suggesting that, like Philip’s invitation to “come and see” Jesus, the Catholic school system invites exploration of faith’s beauty and depth. It shares a poignant story of two brothers supported by their school, underscoring the system’s impact on developing faith and dedication in young people.
Questions and Answers for a Christmas Weekday on January 5
What are the Mass readings for ta Christmas Weekday on January 5?
The Mass readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 5 are:
First Reading – 1 John 3:11-21: Love Transcends Death to Life
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 100: Joyful Worship of the Lord
Gospel – John 1:43-51: Nathanael’s Call and Revelation
What does it mean to love one another in the reading from 1 John?
Loving one another means caring for others through kindness and generosity. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that faith is not just about words but about how we treat people.
Why does the reading warn against hatred?
Hatred leads to harm and separates us from God. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 teaches that choosing love instead of jealousy and anger brings peace and unity.
How does Jesus know Nathanael before meeting him?
Jesus sees and understands Nathanael before they speak. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that God knows us completely and invites us to trust Him.
Why does Nathanael doubt Jesus at first?
Nathanael does not believe anything good can come from Nazareth. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 teaches us not to judge by appearances but to keep an open heart.
What does it mean to follow Jesus like Philip?
Following Jesus means listening to His call and living with faith. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 encourages us to say yes to Jesus and share His love with others.
How can we have confidence in God’s love?
The reading reassures us that God loves us even when we feel unworthy. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us to trust in His mercy and live in His love.
Why is faith shown through actions?
Faith is not just what we believe but also how we live. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 calls us to show love and kindness in our daily lives.
How can we apply these readings to our lives?
We can choose love over hate, trust in Jesus, and follow Him with faith. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that small acts of kindness bring us closer to God.
What does Nathanael’s story teach us?
It teaches us that first impressions can be wrong and that faith requires an open heart. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 encourages us to give Jesus a chance to show us who He is.
How can we follow Jesus in everyday life?
We can follow Jesus by listening to Him in prayer and treating others with love. A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us that faith is a daily choice to walk with God.
Following Jesus and Living with Love
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 reminds us of the importance of love and faith. The first reading calls us to love one another through our actions, not just our words. It warns against hatred and jealousy, which can harm relationships and separate us from God. Love is a sign of true faith, and we are called to care for others with kindness and generosity.
The Gospel tells the story of Jesus calling Philip to follow Him. Philip listens and obeys without hesitation. He also invites Nathanael to meet Jesus. At first, Nathanael doubts, but after speaking with Jesus, he believes. This shows that faith sometimes begins with questions but grows when we open our hearts to God.
A Christmas Weekday on January 5 encourages us to trust in Jesus and follow Him, even when we do not fully understand. It teaches us to show love in all that we do. Through love and faith, we grow closer to God and help others see His goodness.
Your Turn
The readings for a Christmas Weekday on January 5 remind us to love others and trust in Jesus. How can you show love in your actions? Are you open to hearing Jesus’ call in your life?
Share your reflections in the comments. Let’s encourage one another to live with love, follow Jesus, and trust in His plan for us.
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