Daily Reflection – Jan 11, 2016

Monday 11 January 2016

First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-8
Responsorial Psalm:
To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise
Psalm 115(116):12-19
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:14-20

Today’s Note: Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The Kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection:

Today we begin a continuous reading of Mark’s gospel, the opening of Jesus’ ministry. Paralleling that, we have a fairly continuous reading of Samuel’s growth in wisdom, age and grace, which prepares him for his ministry as the last judge of Israel and its first prophet. His mother, Hannah, is featured today. She weeps bitterly as she prays to have a child. Her husband responds: “Am I not more to you than ten sons?” In the gospel Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to come along with him, to fish for people. Jesus doesn’t want sons, but he does want brothers and sisters to be with him.

Who is worth more to you than ten sons? Whom do you really value? Share that love and appreciation with Jesus. Ask to hear his call to you, and to those whom you cherish. Be quiet and just listen. Listen all day long. How is he calling you?

We offer to you, God of compassion, the tears of all parents who cannot have children, who have suffered their children’s death, whose children are estranged.