Daily Readings for January 12, 2015

1ST READING

It is important to remember that humanity is the most like God among all of creation. We have been made in His image and likeness as the Book of Genesis tells us. In the Letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of this special place and of our great responsibility to follow God’s will and obey His commands.

Hebrews 1:1-6

1 Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2 In these last days, he spoke to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, 3 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say: You are my son; this day I have begotten you? Or again: I will be a father to him, and he shall be the son to me? 6 And again, when he leads the first born into the world, he says: Let all the angels of God worship him.

P S AL M

Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9

R: Let all his angels worship him.

1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. 2 Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. 7 Let all his angels worship him. (R) 9 Because you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods. (R)

GOSPEL

I very much doubt that the Apostles chose to follow Jesus the first time they heard Him speak. They might have heard Him speak in various contexts and only on clearly hearing the call to follow Him did they choose to do so. The same is true of us. We may not have literally heard Jesus speak but we have heard the Gospel proclaimed numerous times. What stops us from following Jesus wholeheartedly? Our indecision. Let us follow Jesus as His disciples without hesitation or conditions.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

Mark 1:14-20

14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” 16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they left their nets and followed him. 19 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. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

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