Daily Gospel Reflection for January 17, 2015

Today's Gospel: Mark 2:13-17

Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

Two things grab my attention in today's gospel reading. First, when Jesus passes by Levi and simply says, "Follow me," Levi immediately does just what was asked of him. There is no list of skeptical questions from Levi or a sales pitch from Christ. It just doesn't seem quite that easy each morning when I wake and file through the list of things to do today to be able to just stand up and go when Christ says, "Follow me!" This is where the second part comes into play. At the end of the reading when the Pharisees appear to have a problem with those with whom Jesus dines, He tells them He has not come for the ones who are well, but for those who are sick. So I guess when I hear his words beckoning me to follow Him each morning, I should count myself blessed that He has come to make me well. If I want my heart, mind, and body to be healed by His love, I should probably follow doctor's orders.

Ponder:

How do I respond in my heart and in my life when Christ says, "Follow me"? Am I too busy today?

Pray:

On today's Feast of St. Anthony the Abbot we pray, "Dear God, St. Anthony the Abbot accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things. He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility, and good works. In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the Devil. Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Diane Schwind