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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 - Sunday of the Word of God (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 

In today’s gospel, Jesus, beginning His ministry, issues a call to the disciples to abandon their nets and come after Him. With two compelling commands He convinces them to immediately leave their former way of life and follow Him.

“The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). These words of Jesus convey the sense of urgency of His invitation. Jesus is telling the disciples, and us, that time is short and we should never put off our own continued repentance. Even if we have been following Jesus for many years, we are called to daily conversion and a deeper relationship and closeness with Him. The trials and difficulties of the past year – COVID-19, tensions and divisions in our country, and natural disasters – should remind us of the brevity and fragility of this life and urge us to seek God above all things now, rather than later.

“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mk 1:17). The first disciples responded immediately to Jesus’ request that they leave their father to follow Him. They were fishermen by trade and had probably been fishing since they were young; however, they did not hesitate to abandon their nets for a new life with Jesus. He calls us, like the disciples, to drop the nets of attachments to the things of this earth in order to free our hands to seek and serve Him. These attachments hold us back from abandoning ourselves and completely following Christ. These may be attachments to people, money, material possessions, ideas, attitudes, or even to sinful tendencies.

 

Ponder:


What is Jesus asking me to leave behind today in order to follow Him more completely and perfectly?

 

Pray:


Jesus, You urge us to “repent and believe in the gospel.” Help me to let go of the things that hold me back from following You totally and completely.

 

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Jesus calls us, like the disciples, to drop the nets of attachments to the things of this earth in order to free our hands to seek and serve Him. #dailygospel

 

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Copyright 2021 Christina Mayeux

About the Author

Tina Mayeux

Tina Mayeux

Tina Mayeux is a wife, mother of three daughters, and lifetime Southerner. When she is not busy with her family, she writes in hopes of helping to share the joy of the gospel and Jesus Christ with others. She has contributed to Catholic Digest, Patheos, and The Real Deal of Parenting, and blogs on Substack. Follow her on Instagram @wayofthewildflowers.