Mk 1:14–20
After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News.”
As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” At once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little farther on and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately Jesus called them and they followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men.
REFLECTION
READING: Our readings for today can be woven by the theme of God’s Call. Yahweh in the first reading called Jonah to go to Nineveh to convert the people there. He tried to escape but God made a way to make him do so for God cares for all, Jews and pagans alike. The second reading emphasizes that our time is too short and we need to use it well. Our life is valuable and we cannot just spoil or ignore the call of God. The Gospel shows to us the characteristics of how people respond to the call of Christ, which are: immediacy, generosity, and a definite break from one’s past life. This links up with the first reading as seen in the example of the people of Nineveh who respond positively when called to convert.
REFLECTION: What is God calling me now at this stage of my life? Do I run like Jonah because of a painful experience of being exiled or do I respond positively like the people of Nineveh, or like the first disciples?
PRAYER: Loving Father, make me your faithful servant, keep me as a light amidst darkness, keep me upright even when others are not… even when others cannot… even when others will not. Amen.
ACTION: Review your list of resolutions to be done this New Year or make resolutions if you have not yet done and visualize on how you will realize them in the light of your being a follower of Christ.
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