Daily Readings - Mon Jan 11 2021
Hebrews
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.5For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father "? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
Mark
14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."18At once they left their nets and followed him.19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men 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.