Sunday 18 January 2026

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading - Isaiah 9.1-4

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. O land of Zebulun and Naftali, on the shores of Galilee, beyond the Jordan, amongst the other nations: you have suffered anguish, affliction, and despair; but you will be raised to glory. You have walked in darkness, but you will see a great light. You have lived in a land of deep darkness, but on you, the light will shine. You will enlarge the nation; and there will be joy like the joy on the day of the harvest, or on the day when the enemy is driven away. For the bar across your shoulders, and the power of your oppressor, will be broken. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 1.1-9

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. To the church of God in Corinth, made holy, in our Lord Jesus Christ. And to all those, in every place, who call on his name. Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Every day I give thanks for all that God is doing amongst you. For in Christ, you have grown in every way. You have grown in your confidence in the message of Christ. And you have grown in every spiritual gift, as you look for the coming of our Lord. God has called you into the fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And we trust that God will continue to give you the strength that will keep you in holiness for the day of our Lord. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 4.12-17

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. When he heard that John the Baptist had been arrested, Jesus left Nazareth, and made his home at Capernaum, on the north shore of Galilee, fulfilling the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘O land of Zebulun and Naftali, on the shores of Galilee, beyond the Jordan, amongst the other nations: you have walked in darkness, but you will see a great light; you have lived in a land of deep darkness, but on you, the light will shine.’ And there, Jesus began to teach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.