Daily Readings - Mon Jan 13 2025
Hebrews
1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Mark
14Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.16Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.17And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.18And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.19And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.20And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after 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.