Gospel: January 9, 2025
January 9, 2026 (Friday)
Friday After Epiphany
Psalter: Week 2 (White)
Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
1st Reading: 1 John 5:5-13
Who has overcome the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus Christ was acknowledged through water, but also through blood. Not only water, but water and blood. And the Spirit, too, witnesses to him, for the Spirit is truth.
There are, then, three testimonies: The Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three witnesses agree.
If we accept human testimony, with greater reason must we accept that of God, given in favor of his Son. If you believe in the Son of God, you have God’s testimony in you.
But those who do not believe, make God a liar, since they do not believe his words when he witnesses to his Son.
What has God said? That he has granted us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has life, those who do not have the Son of God do not have life.
I write you, then, all these things, that you may know, that you have eternal life, all you, who believe in the name of the Son of God.
Gospel: Luke 5:12-16
One day, in another town, a man came to Jesus covered with leprosy. On seeing Jesus, the man bowed down to the ground, and said, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched the man and said, “Yes, I want to. Be clean.” In an instant, the leprosy left him.
Then Jesus instructed him, “Tell this to no one. But go, and show yourself to the priest. Make an offering for your healing, as Moses prescribed; that will serve as evidence for them.”
But the news about Jesus spread all the more; and large crowds came to him, to listen and to be healed of their sickness. As for Jesus, he would often withdraw to solitary places and pray.
Reflection:
Be present for others.
The most profound pain a leper endures is not the loss of limbs but, rather, loneliness—the isolation and absence of human touch. It is disheartening to observe that many individuals who are not lepers also experience this type of loneliness. They may possess fully functional limbs but have lost the warmth of intimacy found in genuine human relationships. We take the time to be present for others and ensure that our presence is felt through simple gestures of authentic human connection. Gently affirm a friend today with a tap.
