Christmas Season, Monday after Epiphany
First Reading – 1 Jn 3:22–4:6
Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit whom he gave us. Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist who, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.””R.
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice. R.
Gospel – Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Featured Saints
St. Raphaela Mary of the Sacred Heart, virgin (†1925). Foundress of the Congregation of Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Madrid, Spain. Victim of misunderstandings, she renounced the office of superior and virtuously spent the last 32 years of her life as a simple sister.
St. André Bessette, religious (†1937). Member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, he served as porter at Notre-Dame-des Neiges College in Montreal, Canada. Through his initiative, a world-famous shrine dedicated to St. Joseph was built on an elevation across from the school. (In Canada, celebrated as a Memorial on January 7).
St. Peter Thomas, bishop (†1366). French Carmelite religious. He worked for unity with the Eastern Churches as papal legate and later as Latin Patriarch of Constantinople.
St. Andrew Corsini, bishop (†1373). After a dissolute youth, he became a Carmelite and was elected Bishop of Fiesole (Italy). He governed his diocese with wisdom, aiding the poor and reconciling enemies.
St. John of Ribera, bishop (†1611). Archbishop of Valencia, Spain, for more than forty years. Devotee of the Blessed
Sacrament and defender of Catholic truth, he instructed the people with sound teaching.
St. Charles of Sezze, religious (†1670). After joining the Franciscan Order, he became known for his Eucharistic piety and love of neighbour.
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