Daily Gospel Reflection for January 21, 2018 - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Our pastor lamented recently of a time when he approached members of our parish to serve in various roles, such as trustee or a member of the finance council. The frequent answer was, “I’ll have to get back to you on that,” or “Let me go talk about it with my husband/wife.” Rarely if ever did anyone reply yes right on the spot. Sure enough, there are probably good reasons to consider how their decision to say yes might affect others. Yet we see at various times in Scripture when those whom Jesus called said yes right on the spot: the calling of Matthew (Matthew 9:9); Mary, when she was told that she would become the mother of Our Lord (Luke 1:38); and, of course, in today’s Gospel, the disciples “abandoned their nets and followed him” (v. 18); “They left their father Zebedee in the boat … and followed him” (v. 20). What if any of these whom the Lord called told him, “I’ll have get back to you on that, Jesus,” or “Let me go talk about it with my husband/wife”? What if that hesitation had cost them the best thing that could ever happen to them – a chance to be a close friend of our Lord Jesus Christ? We also see in Scripture a time when some would-be disciples gave the “OK, but first…” answer to Jesus (Luke 9:57-62) – they are told they are not fit for the kingdom of God! Throughout our days we are presented with many opportunities to follow Christ, whether it’s putting our own plans for the day aside to care for a sick child or offering to help our spouse even if it means giving up our own free time. Are we prepared at every minute to say yes to Jesus’s call to serve?

Ponder:

Am I fit for the kingdom of God, or do I often “look to what was left behind” before I choose to follow him?

Pray:

“The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Lord, please forgive me for times I hesitated to follow You, and grant me the courage to answer Your call no matter what the cost might be to me.

Copyright 2018 Tina Dennelly Tina Dennelly is a freelance writer, editor, and owner of Serviam Editing. She lives with her husband and four children on Long Island, New York. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required