Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 1:1-6; Mark 1:14-20)
The four gospels are
read almost entirely at mass on weekdays every year. Today’s gospel begins the reading of the
Gospel according to Mark. When it is
finished sometime in late spring, Matthew’s gospel will be started. Finally, Luke’s gospel is read for most of
the fall. John’s gospel is reserved for
the Easter season. Selections from all
four gospels are read during Lent, Advent, and Christmas.
In today’s gospel
Jesus is seen preaching, “’Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” This sounds
like a relatively easy command to fulfill.
It isn’t. Mark will illustrate
what it means in the very next scene.
Jesus calls first Peter and Andrew and then James and John to follow
him. They must suddenly leave livelihood
in the first case and family in the second to “’believe in the Gospel.’”
Men hear such a radical
call today when they know that it is time to stop looking at pornography. Women sense the same call when they realize
that they should stop dressing seductively.
These are hard commands to follow.
Something inside our brains tells us that salacious pictures and
promiscuous dress will satisfy our needs.
But the Lord knows better than where our true interests lie.
