GOSPEL POWER - JANUARY 24, 2021 - SUNDAY

Gospel: Mk 1:14-20 

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

REFLECTION

T he Good News is that God fulfills his promises of long ago. God’s faithfulness comes in human form — Jesus is the Gospel-in-person. To “believe in the Gospel” is to commit oneself to Jesus… to let his values influence our decisions and shape our entire life. This is possible only if we live in the spirit of ongoing repentance (metanoia), which entails “going beyond one’s own mind set” and “putting on the mind of Jesus” (cf. Phil 2:5) — judging by his criteria, seeing with his compassionate eyes. The privileged place for encountering Jesus and learning from him are the written accounts of his words and deeds, which we also refer to as “gospel.”

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, living Gospel, dwell in us, that our lives may also be good news to others. Amen.