Gospel: January 13, 2025
January 13, 2025 (Monday)
1st Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 1 (Green/White)
St. Hilary, bishop & doctor
Ps 97:1 & 2b, 6 & 7c, 9
Let all his angels worship him.
1st Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6
God has spoken, in the past, to our ancestors, through the prophets in many different ways, although never completely; but, in our times, he has spoken definitively to us, through his Son. He is the one God appointed heir of all things, since, through him, he unfolded the stages of the world. He is the radiance of God’s glory, and bears the stamp of God’s hidden being, so that, his powerful word upholds the universe. And after taking away sin, he took his place, at the right hand of the divine Majesty, in heaven. So, he is now far superior to angels, just as the name he received sets him apart from them. To what angel did God say: You are my son, I have begotten you today? And to what angel did he promise: I shall be a father to him and he will be a son to me? On sending his Firstborn to the world, God says: Let all the angels adore him.
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News.” As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” At once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little farther on, and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately, Jesus called them and they followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men.
Reflection:
“Follow me.”
In a single moment, the lives of Simon, Andrew, James and John are changed forever. A preacher stands by the shore of Lake Galilee and in an instant their identity is changed from fishermen to disciples, from gathering fish, now to gathering people, to be saved by their Lord and God. The immediacy of the shift shows the power of Christ’s word, a word which indeed “upholds the universe.” God himself, the Word made flesh, is speaking to them, and calling them to repentance and discipleship. However, this extraordinary event takes place amid their ordinary activity. Christ meets them in their daily occupation. They hear his call, and they follow without hesitation. In our day, though unseen, Christ meets us in our daily activity and calls us to change and live truly as his disciples. We meet Christ also when we pause to mend our nets, that is, in times of reflection and renewal, above all when we pray with the Scriptures and at Mass. Christ stands before us today. “The time has come… Follow me,” he says. What is my response?
