Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 13, 2025
First Reading: Hebrews 1.1-6
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.
Psalm 97
1This is to David, when his land was restored to him. The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. Let the many islands rejoice2Clouds and mist are all around him. Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne3A fire will precede him, and it will enflame his enemies all around4His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. The earth saw, and it was shaken5The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, before the face of the Lord of all the earth6The heavens announced his justice, and all peoples saw his glory7May all those who adore graven images be confounded, along with those who glory in their false images. All you his Angels: Adore him8Zion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Judah exulted because of your judgments, O Lord9For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. You are greatly exalted above all gods10You who love the Lord: hate evil. The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner11The light has risen for the just, and joy for the upright of heart12Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, and confess to the memory of his sanctuary
Gospel: Mark 1.14-20
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 that illuminate the essence of Jesus' mission and our response to it. The first reading from Hebrews emphasizes God's ultimate revelation through Jesus, the Son, who surpasses the prophets and angels. This passage underscores Jesus' role in creation and redemption, highlighting His divine authority. The Gospel from Mark depicts the commencement of Jesus' ministry, where He calls the first disciples with urgency, inviting them to leave their familiar lives and follow Him. This call is not just a historical event but a timeless invitation to each of us.
The context of these readings is crucial. Hebrews was likely written for Jewish Christians, comparing Jesus to the prophets and angels to assert His superiority. Mark's narrative begins with Jesus' active ministry after John the Baptist's imprisonment, showcasing His immediate impact and the disciples' swift response. Together, these passages emphasize Jesus' central role as God's ultimate revelation and the call to discipleship that requires bold action.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on our response to Jesus' call. Like the disciples, we are invited to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan. This might mean embracing new opportunities or letting go of fears. The moral lesson here is the importance of recognizing Jesus' authority and being obedient to His call. It calls for faith, trust, and action, urging us to be open to God's invitations and to live with purpose and urgency, just as the first disciples did.