Today’s readings draw us into ageless, vibrant depths. Followers of God’s law, we belong to ancient traditions. Children of God, we marvel at the freshness of creation. The Old Testament readings, from Sirach and the Psalms, celebrate the rich blessings we receive when we observe God’s commands—not because we are slaves to the law, but because the law gives life in abundance. Saint Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians confirms the glory of divine law, but warns that God’s ways tend to be unpopular and misunderstood in this world. Paul speaks of the ancient wisdom of God, which is mysteriously both “hidden” and “revealed.” God does not have secret codes that we earthly mortals cannot understand; in love, God reveals the glory of the divine way in Jesus. Saint Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes the importance of living in God’s law, enlivened by a deep and personal relationship with Jesus.

Lẽ khôn ngoan Thiên Chúa đã tiền định từ trước muôn đời, cho chúng ta được vinh hiển.

The prophet Isaiah inspires us with these words: “Light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” All of us celebrating the liturgy today praise God for these words of encouragement. Surely each of us knows the gloomy side of life, but today’s readings propose a brilliant antidote to misery: the light of service. Isaiah focuses on physical suffering, telling us to provide food, clothing, housing, and equal opportunity to those with limited resources. Moving beyond material needs, Saint Paul demonstrates how to proceed humbly when attending to people’s spiritual needs. Saint Matthew’s Gospel stirs us to bold action: whatever gifts we have, we must put them at the service of our communities. As Christians, we must engage with one another without holding back, letting our light shine before all.

Chính anh em là ánh sáng cho trần gian.

This Sunday's feast is both magnificent and mysterious: magnificent because the very first contemporaries of Jesus begin to recognize him as Christ, the anointed Savior of the world; mysterious, because this King is still a child, an obscure boy obedient to his earthly parents. The prophet Malachi—living and dying before the coming of Christ—points toward the arrival of the Messiah and encourages God’s people to prepare themselves by living generous, holy lives. The Letter to the Hebrews— written after Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection—renews the prophetic call to holiness, reminding us that the Lord will always help us: “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” The Gospel reading overflows with examples of joyful men and women living God’s call to holiness. Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna show us, in their own ways, how to love Christ.

Chính mắt con được thấy ơn cứu độ.

In today's Gospel, we see Jesus's reaction to the news that his cousin John has been arrested: he goes into seclusion back at home in Galilee, maybe for one last visit home with Mary, and then begins gathering the band of followers who will become his apostles.

“Anh em hãy sám hối, vì Nước Trời đã đến gần.”

When we say the words of the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God, during Mass, we are directly quoting John the Baptist. The scene is set on the banks of the Jordan River. John has been gathering disciples by powerfully calling for repentance in light of the coming kingdom of God. One day, as he sees Jesus, he cries out, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!"

Ta đặt ngươi làm ánh sáng muôn dân để ngươi đem ơn cứu độ của Ta đến tận cùng cõi đất. Xin Thiên Chúa là Cha chúng ta, và xin Chúa Giê-su ban cho anh em ân sủng và bình an.

On this first Sunday of Ordinary Time, we recall the Baptism of the Lord. But, in addition to remembering this historical event, we also are asked to call to mind our own baptism. Why? Because our baptism isn't just an event from the past, but a present reality that impacts every aspect of our lives.

Chịu phép rửa xong, Đức Giê-su thấy Thần Khí Thiên Chúa đến ngự trên Người. Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xưa Ngài đã làm đẹp lòng Chúa Cha bằng cách sống hòa đồng, chia sẻ phận người với chúng con. Xin giúp chúng con biết sống tình tương thân huynh đệ, cùng giúp nhau sống tốt về mọi mặt, để xây dựng một Giáo Hội hiệp nhất, yêu thương.

The story of the magi, the three wise men, who traveled from the East to pay homage to Jesus as the King of the Jews, is part of our Christmas tradition. The magi, after a detour to see King Herod, brought their most valuable possessions to lay at the feet of the newborn King.

Thiên Chúa không chỉ tỏ mình cho dân Israel. Ngài còn tỏ mình cho các dân tộc khác, vì Ngài muốn cứu độ mọi người chẳng trừ ai.

The first two readings today focus on the relationships with our family. We are told that honoring and respecting our father is of the highest importance and, if we are faithful to this call, we will be blessed by God. When we read the Gospel, the theme changes from focusing on our earthly family to being faithful to God, our Heavenly Father. If we ought to respect our earthly father and spend so much time and energy making our earthly home virtuous and holy, how much more ought we work to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father? How often do we take the time to talk with God, or honor him by serving him or making sacrifices for him? Let us remember the words of Sirach and St. Paul this week, not just in relation to how we treat our earthly fathers, but, most importantly, in how we relate to God the Father.

This week's Gospel tells us how the "birth of Jesus Christ came about." More specifically, it tells us how an angel appeared to Joseph, explaining to him that Mary's son would save the people from their sins. While Joseph might not have understood it at the time, we know that Jesus is the fulfillment of the great prophecy of Isaiah 7:14ff, that the Messiah would come from the line of David and be born of a Virgin. In our readings this week, we first read that prophecy and then see its fulfillment in the Gospel.

Giữa bối cảnh đầy lo âu và bất an bất ổn của cuộc sống hôm nay, Lời Chúa nói với chúng ta như đã nói với Thánh Giuse: Đừng sợ!

Who hasn't felt discouraged at some point in life? We all know how it feels when things don't go the way we want or expect. John the Baptist was feeling that way in today's Gospel. He is languishing in prison, wondering if all that he said and did had any meaning. Jesus didn't look like the common image of the Messiah. He wasn't a great political leader who would overthrow the Roman oppressors and restore Israel to glory. John's faith is shaken and so he tells his followers to seek out Jesus and ask him, "Are you the one?"

Chính Thiên Chúa sẽ đến cứu anh em. Anh em hãy bền tâm vững chí, vì ngày Chúa quang lâm đã gần tới.