Daily Readings - Mon Jan 14 2019

¹In many places and in many ways, in past times, God spoke to the fathers through the Prophets²lastly, in these days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he appointed as the heir of all things, and through whom he made the world³And since the Son is the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and is carrying all things by the Word of his virtue, thereby accomplishing a purging of sins, he sits at the right hand of Majesty on high⁴And having been made so much better than the Angels, he has inherited a name so much greater than theirs⁵For to which of the Angels has he ever said: "You are my Son; today have I begotten you?" Or again: "I will be a Father to him, and he shall be a Son to me?⁶And again, when he brings the only-begotten Son into the world, he says: "And let all the Angels of God adore him.

Mark

Chapter 1

¹⁴Then, after John was handed over, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God¹⁵and saying: "For the time has been fulfilled and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent and believe in the Gospel.¹⁶And passing by the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew, casting nets into the sea, for they were fishermen¹⁷And Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.¹⁸And at once abandoning their nets, they followed him¹⁹And continuing on a little ways from there, he saw James of Zebedee and his brother John, and they were mending their nets in a boat²⁰And immediately he called them. And leaving behind their father Zebedee in the boat with his hired hands, they followed him

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the revelation of God's plan. The first reading from Hebrews highlights Jesus as the ultimate expression of God, surpassing the prophets and angels. It emphasizes His role as the creator and sustainer of the world, seated at God's right hand. The Gospel from Mark depicts the beginning of Jesus' ministry, where He calls the first disciples, who respond with immediate faith and action. The context of Hebrews is a letter to early Christians, possibly Jewish converts, to affirm Jesus' superiority and reinforce their faith. Mark's passage sets the stage for Jesus' ministry, showcasing His authority and the instantaneous response of the disciples. Together, these readings underscore Jesus' divine nature and His active role in calling people to follow Him. These readings challenge us to reflect on our response to God's call. Like the disciples, we are invited to trust in God's providence and step out in faith, even when it means leaving behind comfort and familiarity. This call to discipleship is a reminder to live with purpose and passion, keeping our eyes fixed on eternal truths. May we embrace this call with courage and fidelity, trusting in God's plan for our lives.