January 24: 

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: 1 Jonah 3:1-5, 10
God sent Jonah to tell the people of Nineveh how to get right with God and the entire city repented and reformed. We’ve each been called to get right with God and humanity. Each trouble we hear of or see calls us to a responsible change in ourselves.

Responsorial: Psalm 25: 4-9 
We say with the entire people of God, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.”

2nd Reading: I Corinthians 7: 29-31
“The form of this world is passing away.” The transformation God calls us to is to follow Jesus, to discipline ourselves as Jesus’ disciples, to love, heal and teach as he did and does. Both COVID and national upheaval are signs of our times that indicate aspects of this world are passing away. How will we co-create policies and practices as followers of Christ that are more loving and more beneficial for the common good?

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
His cousin John had been arrested but Jesus’ preaching was not in vain. His words bear fruit! People follow him! Their enthusiasm fuels our commitment and prompts us to ask – how can we best carry his message: “the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the good news!” What does it mean? How can our lives and the world be impacted by it? What does Jesus want from us? He showed us we can live with an outgoing love, concerned for the common good of all humanity. He showed this love will heal, restore, fulfill and revitalize us. He showed how God’s gifts benefit all and cut through greed, arrogance, ignorance, and selfishness. Jesus calls us each to let him change our hearts and love more deeply and widely as we repent and follow Jesus more nearly.