Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, January 12, 2026

Gospel

Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested,

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God:

“This is the time of fulfillment.

The Kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,

he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;

they were fishermen.

Jesus said to them,

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Then they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along a little farther

and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They too were in a boat mending their nets.

Then he called them.

So they left their father Zebedee in the boat

along with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection

Jesus’ message is still prevalent today, “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel”. Jesus calls us to turn our hearts away from whatever keeps us anchored to sin, fear, or comfort, and to trust in the Good News He brings. What makes this passage especially moving is who responds to that call and how. Simon, Andrew, James, and John are not scholars or significant religious leaders. They are ordinary men, busy with ordinary work, I imagine just simply trying to get through their day. Jesus at this time was unknown and had no reputation to lean on. And yet, when He speaks to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men”, something in them recognizes the truth of His words. Their response is immediate and they do not hesitate to leave everything behind and follow Him.

This Gospel challenges us to ask ourselves some uncomfortable questions. What are the “nets” we cling to for security or identity? What keeps us hesitating when Jesus invites us to follow Him? We may not be asked to leave our jobs or families behind in the same way, but we are asked to loosen our grip on anything that takes priority over Him whatever that may be.