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Reflect on putting God first with Lisa Henley Jones' Daily Gospel Reflection. Discover the call to repentance and the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Today's Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

I love God with all my heart. However, at times, I’m distracted by life and stop putting God first. And then, repairing my relationship with Him seems a bit overwhelming, and so I procrastinate doing what I need to do.
 
I hear God telling me, “Stop procrastinating. Stop waiting until you think the time is perfect; take the first step, and then the next step. I am here with you.”
 
I plead, “Lord, how do I do what you are asking of me? Where do I begin?”
 
He nudges me to read through today’s Gospel. “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” comes into focus. When I hear those words on Ash Wednesday, they are a balm to my heart because I know Jesus is reminding me that it is never too late to begin again, no matter how great my sin, how lost or distracted I feel in this world, or how much I procrastinate. We know Lent is a time to begin anew. But what about this first Monday of Ordinary Time?
 
My eyes wander back to the Gospel reading. “This is the time of fulfillment.” I need to stop putting off my relationship with Him.
 
This is my reminder to act. My Lord is waiting for me. He is calling me to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to make a good confession and accept His loving mercy in my life.
 
With that mercy, I can rededicate my life to Him. And when I stumble or get distracted again--which He knows I will, I will again hear His words from today’s Gospel reading. “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
 
He calls me to begin again and turn back to Him through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and dedicate my life to living as He calls me.
 
What am I waiting for? What are you waiting for? The time is now.

 

Ponder:

Are you procrastinating putting God first in your life? What is holding you back?

 

Pray:

Lord, thank You for the reminder that it is never too late to reconcile with You. I love You with all my heart. And even though I become distracted at times, knowing You are waiting for me with mercy draws me back to Your loving embrace.

 

Pray Together:

Practice forgiveness with one another each day as a reminder of how God is waiting to forgive us.

 


January 12

Copyright 2026 Lisa Henley Jones

 

About the Author

Lisa Henley Jones

Lisa Henley Jones

Lisa Henley Jones is a wife, mom, native Texan, and parish communications director. She enjoys reading, walking, going on date nights, and cheering on her kids in their activities. As a social media consultant, Lisa teaches Catholic parishes to engage, inspire, and evangelize on social media. Find her blog at Of Sound Mind & Spirit and her social media course at Parish Social Media.