Weekly Reflection wc 25 Jan

Celebrating the Catholic life of our School

Week Commencing Sunday 24th January, Ordinary Time Week 3

Sunday of the word of God

"When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us."

SUNDAY MASS READINGS 24/1/2021 read them here
1st Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10. God saw their efforts
Psalm 24. Lord, make me know your ways
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. The world we know it is passing away
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20. I will make you into fishers of men

“AS CHRISTIANS... WE URGENTLY NEED TO GROW IN OUR KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE OF THE SCRIPTURES AND OF THE RISEN LORD, WHO CONTINUES TO SPEAK HIS WORD AND TO BREAK BREAD IN THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS....WE NEED TO DEVELOP A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH SACRED SCRIPTURE; OTHERWISE, OUR HEARTS WILL REMAIN COLD AND OUR EYES SHUT.."

What do the readings mean to us today?

1st ReadingPSALM2nd Reading
The first reading is always somehow linked to the Gospel. It may show how a prophecy from the Old Testament is fulfilled through Jesus, make a contrast between something that happened or was said, or it may make the meaning of the Gospel clearer by giving some back story! The Old Testament points us towards the person of Jesus we hear about in the Gospel.The psalms were written to celebrate and give thanks to God in good times and hard times. There is a response to the psalm which we are invited to join in with. Sometimes, the psalm will be sung, which helps the congregation with the meaning of the psalm, and so adds to the prayer.The second reading doesn't always tie in with the first reading and Gospel. It comes from the Letters in the New Testament, which were written by St. Paul and the apostles to the early church. They offered support, clarity, encouragement and guidance. Don't be fooled into thinking it's irrelevant - we are still in need of this support today!

The Gospel

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

The Gospel is about the man Himself - Jesus! We can learn so much more from it than we might realise. What are your first thoughts about this weeks? Look at the language used, what do people say, how do people respond? What is it telling us? What is it saying to you?

Fr. Mike Schmitz, has an incredible podcast - taking us through the entire Bible in one year, explaining how God speaks to us in this way today.

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