“Come after me." | Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “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."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 1:14-20)

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.

Mark relates in just a few words the beginning of Jesus' public ministry as he picks up the proclamation of the Gospel after John is arrested. Sounding very much like John, Jesus says, "The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” But he says something else, which foreshadows his earthly ministry. "This is the time of fulfillment." It is with this authority that Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him. And they do. Immediately, they leave their nets behind—the ones they are casting and the ones they are mending. Jesus calls them from the midst of their work; they hear his voice and obey. In what ways—in the midst of the work week—how attentively will we listen out for the voice of the Lord?

Father in heaven, you sent Jesus to proclaim your kingdom and to bring hope and salvation to all people. Like Simon and Andrew and James and John, let me be attentive to your call and follow you at work and at rest. This is your Son, the one you love and in whom you are well pleased. Give me the grace, Lord, to see the love between you and your Son and the invitation by the Son to imitate him in perfectly accomplishing your will. Lord, let me hear and follow as you ask me to come after you. Jesus, I trust in you!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.