Jan 13 2025

First reading Hebrews 1:1-6

God has spoken to us through his Son

At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son, the Son that he has appointed to inherit everything and through whom he made everything there is. He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. So he is now as far above the angels as the title which he has inherited is higher than their own name.

God has never said to any angel: You are my Son, today I have become your father; or: I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Again, when he brings the First-Born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

Responsorial Psalm 96(97):1-2,6-7,9

Let all his angels worship him.
The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
Let all his angels worship him.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Let all his angels worship him.
Let all his angels worship him.
Because you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
Let all his angels worship him.

Gospel Mark 1:14-20

I will make you into fishers of men

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’

As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

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Jesus, I follow you

“…in our own time, the last days, he (God) has spoken to us through his Son…” (1st reading). Jesus, the Final Word of God and the human form of God, comes to communicate and reveal the Father’s love, through His words, actions and entire being. “Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father.” (John 14:9). As we begin the Ordinary Time, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, allowing Him to guide us in living our lives according to how God wants us to and leading us to a deeper union with Him.

In the gospel, Jesus called His first four disciples, “Follow me”. He extends the same call to us today, “Follow me”. This call from Jesus invites us to follow Him by making His priority to be ours, His values to be ours, and His mission to be ours. Today, let us not allow the Word of God to be mere words on a page; instead, may it come alive in our lives.

Reflective question:
How can I concretely respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him today?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.