This Sunday's Readings

Church of the Sacred Heart

2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

17 & 18 JANUARY 2026

Collect

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

who govern all things,

both in heaven and on earth,

mercifully hear the pleading of your people

and bestow your peace on our times.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

First Reading                    

A reading from the prophet Isaiah.                    49:3,5-6

I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

The Lord said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel,

in whom I shall be glorified’;

I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord,

my God was my strength.

And now the Lord has spoken,

he who formed me in the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob back to him,

to gather Israel to him:

‘It is not enough for you to be my servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;

I will make you the light of the nations

so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                 

R.  Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord

    and he stooped down to me;

    he heard my cry.

He put a new song into my mouth,

    praise of our God.

R.  Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,

    but an open ear.

You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

    Instead, here am I.

R.  Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

In the scroll of the book it stands written

    that I should do your will.

My God, I delight in your law

    in the depth of my heart.

R.  Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed

    in the great assembly.

My lips I have not sealed;

    you know it, O Lord.

R.  Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Second Reading 

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.               1:1-3

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.

I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.

The word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation       

Alleluia! alleluia!

Blessings on the King who comes,

in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven

and glory in the highest heavens!

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Gospel 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.                1:29-34

Response: Glory to you, O Lord.

Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Of The Faithful

Introduction: We are called to be a holy people who will let God’s lights shine through us in a darkened world. Let us turn to God our Father to do this as we offer our petitions for ourselves, the world and our Church.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

1. For our Church. That with single-hearted faith in God’s word, our Holy Father, the clergy, religious men and women and all those who teach the faith will proclaim God’s saving power that frees all from the darkness of sin. Let us pray to the Lord.

2. For Christian Unity. That in this week for Christian Unity, all Christians may let the Holy Spirit deepen our understanding of our shared faith and together build a better world that is God’s Kingdom. Let us pray to the Lord.

3. For the dying, the sick, the lonely and isolated. That God’s grace and peace may strengthen, comfort and embrace the despairing, the lonely and all who need healing. Let us pray to the Lord.

4. For our parish community. That God may clothe us in sincere, humble and charitable compassion to become that more inclusive and welcoming community where everyone is dignified, respected and valued. Let us pray to the Lord.

5. From the Archdiocese Pastoral Plan. Let us pray that more Catholics will better understand inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue and inculturation, and so, more actively evangelise to all peoples. Let us pray to the Lord.

6. We now pray in silence for other needs and intentions …

For these other needs and intentions, let us pray to the Lord.

Conclusion: O God, our Father, hear these petitions we humbly place before You. Teach us to follow Your light. Kindly hear and answer our prayers through Christ our Lord.

Amen.