Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
1 Samuel 1:1–8
The story opens with Elkanah and his two wives, and particularly with Hannah, whose longing for a child becomes a powerful expression of prayer and trust. Despite the hurt and taunts she endures, Hannah brings her deep longing before the Lord, teaching us about heartfelt prayer and reliance on God’s faithful presence.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 116:12–13, 14–16, 18–19
To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
This psalm responds to God’s goodness: what can we offer in return for all that he has done? The psalmist answers with praise, vows fulfilled, and thanksgiving — an authentic response to God’s gracious love.
Gospel
Mark 1:14–20
After John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus begins his own ministry in Galilee. He proclaims that the time of fulfilment has come, that the kingdom of God is close, and he calls four fishermen — Simon and Andrew, James and John — to follow him. Without hesitation, they leave their nets and follow, becoming “fishers of men.”
Reflection
Today’s readings bring us gently into the rhythm of Ordinary Time — moments where faith is lived in everyday realities.
Hannah’s prayerful longing invites us to bring our own heartfelt desires before God, not with pretence, but with honesty. We see that prayer is not something distant, but the faithful offering of our deepest needs. The psalm reminds us that gratitude and praise are fitting responses when God answers and sustains us.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls ordinary people in the midst of everyday work — fishing nets, familiar routines, daily life — into a deeper purpose. Their willingness to follow immediately speaks not only of obedience, but of trust. Their ordinary lives become the starting point for extraordinary transformation.
As we begin this week, we are invited to bring God both our sincere longings and our everyday work — trusting that he meets us there, calling us deeper into his life.
A moment of pause
What longings and daily routines are you bringing to God today — and how might he be inviting you to follow him more closely?
No comments:
Post a Comment