Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 11, 2021
First Reading: Hebrews 1.1-6
1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.5For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"?Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"?6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
Psalm 97
1The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!2Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.3Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.4His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.5The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.6The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.7All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!8Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD.9For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.10O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.11Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.12Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Gospel: Mark 1.14-20
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."16Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.17And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."18And immediately they left their nets and followed him.19And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.20And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter the profound truth of Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God and the initiator of a new way of life. The first reading from Hebrews emphasizes that God, who spoke through prophets in the past, has now spoken definitively through His Son, who is the very essence of God’s being and the creator of the world. This passage highlights the superiority of Christ over the angels, underscoring His unique role in salvation history. The Gospel from Mark then shifts our focus to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. After John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus proclaims the arrival of the kingdom of God, calling people to repentance and faith. His encounter with the first disciples—Simon, Andrew, James, and John—demonstrates the radical call to follow Him, leaving behind their familiar lives to become “fishers of men.”
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on the authority and uniqueness of Jesus Christ. While Hebrews presents Jesus as the divine Word through whom all things were made, Mark shows Him as the active Messiah who inaugurates the kingdom of God. Together, they invite us to recognize Jesus as the one who surpasses all previous revelations and who calls us to a life of discipleship. The immediate response of the disciples—leaving their nets and family behind—challenges us to consider how we respond to God’s call in our own lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly recognize Jesus as the ultimate authority in our lives? Are we willing to let go of our comforts and distractions to follow Him? The call to repentance and belief in the Gospel is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment. Just as the first disciples trusted in Jesus’ invitation, we too are called to trust in His plan for us. May we, like them, embrace the adventure of faith, knowing that Jesus is the source of all truth and the one who brings light and salvation to our world.