Gospel for January 24 2021 – Mark 1:14-20
Gospel Reflections for January 24 2021
Follow Me!
You might think our faith is complicated but today’s Gospel reveals everything you need to know. Every word and deed of Jesus is summarized in just two words!
Jesus speaks to fishermen and simply says, “Follow me.” They do …and so should you. An authentic Christian just follows what Christ says and does.
In this time of political transition and often turmoil, clear and easy to understand directions are just what we need!
Notice that Jesus does not say, “Understand what I say and do.” He simply says “Follow me.” Understanding only becomes clear after following His behavior. You first follow Him and then you will gain wisdom.
You might notice how children often mimic the behavior of their parents or teachers. That is how children find their way to success, and that is true for adults as well. You can read articles on winning athletes, business leaders, or even marriage and family topics, but when you imitate the behavior of successful people, you will more clearly understand everything so much faster. Wisdom follows behavior.
In the Gospel, Jesus notices that His strongest disciple, John the Baptist, was just arrested but that setback does not stop Our Lord’s preaching at all. He immediately calls new disciples to His cause.
Jesus encourages to you to understand well your role as disciples who follow Him. Soon you will see on our website at stbrunochurch.org the link to our University Series. This is our annual program during Lent that offers many talks that provide that training. This year it will be on Zoom.
The Mass is our weekly reminder of how to follow Jesus, especially in the words of the consecration: “This is my Body and Blood, given for you.” Our Lord acts in a way that is always for you and for your true and lasting happiness, at every age, in every place, and at every time. He is always pro-life. Well, since Jesus is pro-life, then so are we. We follow Him.
January 23rd, is the 48th anniversary of the famous 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that, along with other cases, legalized abortion at any time before birth.
Jesus Himself was conceived under difficult circumstances, and yet Mary is called “blessed among all women.” Jesus is always pro-life and always pro-women. These two ideas go together well, and have finally been understood by so many. A recent Gallup poll reports that more than 50% of Americans now identify as pro-life.
Since Jesus is pro-life, then so are we, because very simply …we follow Him.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thank you for reaffirming that, as Catholics, we need to be pro-life.
If only ALL of our Church leaders strongly affirmed that!
Thank You & Bless You,
Sherrie
I am glad to see that our Bishops are beginning to lead on this issue now.
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts, Fr. Dave. Happy to hear that 50% of Americans believe in pro life and pray for more to come to this understanding.
So happy to hear The University Series will be on Zoom and I will be able to view it in Massachusetts. Thank you!
Debbie George…sister of Jane Lynch/JoeLynch
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts, Fr. Dave. Happy to hear that 50% of Americans believe in pro life and pray for more to come to this understanding.
So happy to hear The University Series will be on Zoom and I will be able to view it in Massachusetts. Thank you!
Debbie George…sister of Jane Lynch/JoeLynch
Yes, you will be able to joint the University Series soon online!
Father,
Thanks for your many “pro-life” messages.
As you know, Biden wants to make sure that abortion is always permitted in the future. However, U.S. Senator Rand Paul is dedicated to passing the Life at Conception Act which would declare unborn children to be “persons” as defined by the 14 Amendment to the Constitution, thereby entitled to protection. That would be the end of abortion!
Please encourage everyone to go online and sign the Senator’s Petition for passage of this Bill! If this doesn’t pass soon, it will forever be too late.
Yes, I signed it, and encourage all to do as well!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee being pro life!! It is amazing to me that those that are not pro life don’t see that the miracle of their lives was that their mother’s had the beauty of giving them LIFE!! Love our Jesus, love being Pro life and I’m writing a letter to President Biden telling him about our Jesus, our Faith that he was born in to,says he must follow Jesus and protect life!!Our Congressman brother Bob Dornan with Henry Hyde promoted life.They wer loved by our God!!and our precious God gave Pres. Biden life!! Join me everyone and write to president Biden to live his precious Faith and follow Jesus’ words, ” Come follow me ” and that means protect LIFE!!!
With love, I’m running for Congress!! Vote for me!! I love Jesus and I’m PRO LIFE!!!
Amen, Franca! God bless you and thank you for all you do 🙂
Yes!
Well said!
Going to Ninava (sp) wasn’t easy as he had to give a “harsh” word. It is something that that Epistle was given with this Gospel. God is asking us to speak His Word even though it isn’t always easy. I pray this for our Priests and lay people that we openly say the truth in love.
Yes, we need courage to speak the love of the Gospel now more than ever.
Thank you and God bless you, Fr. Dave, for being so clear on the life issue. Thank you also for the reminder that “follow me” from Jesus says it all. Simple, though not always easy…
You are very welcome!
Thank you Fr. Dave, for your inspirational reflection on “Following Jesus,”
We need to hear the truth on what God has commanded us to do.
I like to read the “The Word on Fire Bible as well. It has a fresh new look and
a format that is easy to read. I can find there what Jesus said and did to
help me on how to follow Him.
We’re looking forward to viewing the University Series on Zoom. There are always
good helps there to be applied to our daily living.
Yes, you can join the University Series soon online!
Yes. Fr. Dave,
I remember hearing you say that pro life the shelf
That all the books of the gospels are on. Mark, Luke,John & Mathew. ( . I hope I remembered that right)
How is it possible to have a Catholic President that NOT pro- Life? How can you be a Christian and not stand up for innocent life in a womb?
I pray that the nation is able to recover from COVID & see that ALL life is valuable.
Yes, perhaps the Covid crisis will reawaken people to be pro-life, from conception to natural death. This is the defining issue of our time.