January 25, 2026 - One Bread, One Body
Sister Dinh Ngo raises the crucifix in 2022. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
January 25, Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Sunday of the Word of God
Cycle A Readings:
1) Isaiah 8:23—9:3
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
2) 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Matthew 4:12-23
Let the word shine
“Preach the gospel — not with wordy “wisdom,” however, lest the cross of Christ be rendered void of its meaning!” —1 Corinthians 1:17
Jesus chose the uneducated, those who did not speak well (1 Cor 1:27-28). The Lord called St. Paul, who admitted he did not speak well (2 Cor 11:6) and was unimpressive in person (2 Cor 10:10). God called Moses, who was “slow of speech and tongue” (Ex 4:10) and a “poor speaker” (Ex 6:12). However, God told Moses that He Himself would assist him in speaking (Ex 4:12).
Apollos was an eloquent speaker (Acts 18:24). We do want to present the Gospel as skillfully as we can. But we don’t want to obscure the cross and its power by our human wisdom (1 Cor 1:17; 2:1). We want people to follow the crucified Jesus rather than a particular person, however dynamic they might be. People follow a charismatic personality, but when that person dies, the followers tend to disappear (see Acts 5:36-37).
No wonder that St. Paul, a few verses after warning about preaching with “wordy” wisdom (1 Cor 1:17), said that he would speak of nothing but Jesus and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). That is the power of God leading to salvation (Rm 1:16).
It’s a balancing act that only the Holy Spirit can bring to perfection. We want “to do well” in skillfully presenting the Gospel (1 Tm 5:17), but we don’t want to obscure the message and power of the cross. Lift high the cross. Come, Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Father, give me the grace to serve Your Word skillfully while also letting Your Word speak powerfully through my life.
Promise: “A people living in darkness has seen a great light.” —Mt 4:16
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the incarnate and eternal Word!
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. †Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025."
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.