The Word of the Lord

This Sunday's Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Read, reflect, and prepare your heart for worship.

This Sunday's Readings

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

January 25, 2026

Collect Collect of the Day

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer (1979)

First Reading Isaiah 9:1-4

Translation: |

There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

1Nonetheless, those who were in distress won't be exhausted. At an earlier time, God cursed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but later he glorified the way of the sea, the far side of the Jordan, and the Galilee of the nations.

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4As on the day of Midian, you've shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Psalm Psalm 27:1, 5-13

1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
5One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.
7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.
9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.
11You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *Your face, Lord, will I seek.
12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13You have been my helper; cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.

Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Translation: |

10Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

10Now I encourage you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Agree with each other and don't be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose. 11My brothers and sisters, Chloe's people gave me some information about you, that you're fighting with each other. 12What I mean is this: that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," "I belong to Apollos," "I belong to Cephas," "I belong to Christ." 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in Paul's name?

14Thank God that I didn't baptize any of you, except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that nobody can say that you were baptized in my name! 16(I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Otherwise, I don't know if I baptized anyone else.) 17Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the good news—and not with clever words so that Christ's cross won't be emptied of its meaning.

18The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.

Gospel Matthew 4:12-23

Translation: |

12When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

12Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, which lies alongside the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet said:

15Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, alongside the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16the people who lived in the dark have seen a great light, and a light has come upon those who lived in the region and in shadow of death.

17From that time Jesus began to announce, "Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!"

18As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," he said, "and I'll show you how to fish for people." 20Right away, they left their nets and followed him. 21Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and 22immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

23Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people.