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SOCL, EpiphanyA



Sunday, January 04, 2026


See


We are at the start of the new civil year and beginning again is an invitation to look in two directions. What happened for me in the last year, both in my ordinary life and in my life as a believer, a person of faith? For what do I ask forgiveness? For what do I give thanks? We also look forward and the new beginning gives us a chance to start again on the Way of discipleship. Both thanksgiving and renewal are to be found in today’s readings. The Gospel is in invitation to wake up, to keep watch, to live fully the present moment under God, in whom we live and move and have our being.


Listen



Reflect


(John 1:1-18)


-John opens his Gospel with a profound reflection on the meaning of creation, of life and of Jesus. Remember when you had a special awareness of the gift of life that filled you with gratitude to God for creation and the beauty and wonder of the world: ‘All things came into being through him and without him not one thing came into being.


-We hear the gospel message frequently. Sometimes it goes in one ear and out the other. Then there are occasions when it made us feel more alive, times when it helped us see the way ahead, like a light that shines in the darkness. Recall when the gospel gave you hope in the midst of anxiety or sadness and helped you to see what action would be most life giving for you and for others.


-Bring to mind people who have had a prophetic voice in the world - speaking the truth for the world to hear, like as a witness to testify to the light. Some of these may have been public figures. Others were ordinary people who have helped you see the 'light' by the witness of their own lives and words.


-“No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son of God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” Jesus came to us to teach us about God and put a human face on God for us. For the people of his day, and for us, that was a mission of getting us to think again about how we see God and to believe in a God who is a God of love. Recall how the life and ministry of Jesus have changed your picture of God.d for you now? What forces, within or without, could subvert the dream or goal?


Pray


God most high, your only Son embraced the weakness of our flesh to give us the power to become your children; your eternal Word chose to dwell among us, that we might live in your presence. Grant us a spirit of wisdom to know how rich is the glory you have made our own, and how great the hope to which we are called in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit in the splendour of eternal light God for ever and ever.

 
 
 

One another, EpiphanyA


Epiphany A,B,C

January 04, 2026



God has blessed creation with a great variety of gifts and gathered all people into one family, so that in sharing, we might strengthen and be strengthened by one another. We gather into our hearts and minds the universe entrusted to us, remembering its needs before God and this company:


For the Church: that, through our words and deeds, we may be a Light to those who are searching for direction and a sign of hope for those seeking to begin again: let us pray to the Lord.


For God’s blessing on the New Year: that God will fill the coming days with health of body, mind, and spirit; renew the gifts of the Spirit within us, and inspire us with new ways to share our gifts and resources with others: let us pray to the Lord.


For greater trust: that, like the Wise Men, God’s Light may guide us through the unknown of the coming days as we rely more deeply on God’s love and care for us: let us pray to the Lord.


For a spirit of wonder: that our hearts may be filled with joy as we recognize God’s many gifts to us in our relationships, our opportunities, and our freedoms: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who have fled war zones, disasters, persecution, or discrimination: that God will help them to establish new lives and experience justice and respect in their new communities: let us pray to the Lord.


For catechumens and candidates: that their search for Christ and a Christian Community may lead them to an ever-deepening experience of Emmanuel: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who do not know God: that they may perceive the signs of God’s love in their lives and like the wisemen, be persistent in searching for God who is the source and fulfillment of their lives: let us pray to the Lord.


For a renewal of prayer in our lives: that we may make time for God each day of this year and be attentive to God’s invitations and promptings in our hearts: let us pray to the Lord.


For greater unity and cooperation within the human family: that God will heal the wounds between various groups, open hearts to the talents of every person, and help us work together against violence, drug abuse, and poverty: let us pray to the Lord.


For those bound by fear: that God will free their spirits, help them to trust God’s providence, and open a vision of the future for them: let us pray to the Lord.


For the members of Congress: that God will give them clear understanding of the issues in our society, courage to address them, and helpful insights to improve the common good: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal their pain, guide them to healing resources, and give them strength: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are ill: that God’s healing love will restore them to wholeness and strengthen them throughout the coming year: let us pray to the Lord.


For the people of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Palestinian territories: that God will ease their burdens, open opportunities for them, and establish peace and justice in the Holy Land: let us pray to the Lord.


Grant that these prayers, O God, may be enriched by our commitment not only to pray them, but to live them in your Son’s name. Amen.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026, January 4). The Epiphany of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010426.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.


 
 
 

The Word today, EpiphanyA


January 05 - January 10, 2026


St Charles of St Andrew, priest


1 John 3:11-21 Today’s reading illustrates the richness of the First Letter. It is highly realistic — the world hates you. At the same time, it is very inspiring — our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active.


John 1:43-51 Our Gospel today contains a large number of descriptions of Jesus. If we were to describe what Jesus means to us, what would we say today? (The mention of the fig tree can puzzle. One explanation goes like this. In rabbinic tradition, it had been concluded that the tree of knowledge of good and evil was a fig tree, given that the fig is the first species mentioned. It became a symbol of the Torah, the later “tree” of knowledge, guidance on the part of goodness. Thus, seeing Philip under.


The Epiphany of the Lord (See special notes for the feast.)



1 John 3:22-4:6 Something of the difficult situation of the Johannine community comes to expression here. Clearly, there has been a split over doctrine and there is great anxiety that the true believers might be “contaminated” by false teaching.


Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 Just before the feast of the Baptism, we are presented with the teaching of John the Baptist. Jesus was a follower of John and accepted his baptism. He also took up the teaching of John about the coming kingdom and about conversion / repentance.



1 John 4:7-10 When we speak of the love of God, it could mean two things. The foundational gift is God’s love for us first of all and in the strength of that love we are able to love in turn.


Mark 6:34-44 All the miracles are to be read at two levels. There is the level of a story in the life of Jesus. Then, there is the level of the story in my life today. Already, we hear echoes of the Eucharist in the telling: Jesus said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples. We are those disciples today.



1 John 4:11-18 Continuing from yesterday, how could we best respond to God’s astonishing love of us? 1 John explores in a very helpful way the many dimensions of the love affair between God and us.


Mark 6:45-52 One more, the miracle story is to be read at two levels. This is true especially of the walking on them water. When the later community felt the absence of Jesus, this story served to remind them: ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ We are the same today: we too need this word of presence and encouragement.



1 John 5:5-13 1 John 4:19-5:4 How would you know your love of God was genuine? Here’s a practical test. The letter of John — highly spiritual — is also highly practical: man who does not love the brother that he can see cannot love God, whom he has never seen.


Luke 4:14-22 Today we hear Luke’s telling of Jesus’ visit to his hometown and synagogue. Again, Luke “locates” the proclamation of Jesus, using another mighty citation from Isaiah. There can be no separation of the Gospel and the social teaching Jesus — these are one and the same.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026, January 4). The Epiphany of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010426.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings


 
 
 
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