Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 13 Jan ‘25
First Week in Ordinary Time – Monday
Hebrews 1:1-6. Psalm 97. Mark 1:14-20
Calling out and calling!
Today’s readings remind us that God speaks to us in many ways, and that our response to His voice shapes our journey of faith. The Letter to the Hebrews (1:1–6) shows how God once spoke through the prophets but now speaks to us through His Son. Psalm 97 calls us to praise the Lord’s greatness, declaring that “the Lord is king; let the earth rejoice.” And in Mark 1:14–20, we witness Jesus calling His first disciples right in the midst of their daily work. These passages invite us to reflect on the theme of “calling out and calling”—how God cries out to us, and how He calls us to follow.
1. How do we respond to the Gospel we proclaim every day?
In Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is God’s final Word—He is God’s Son, who reveals the Father’s heart. We hear the Gospel message each day in Scripture, in our prayers, and at Mass. But does this Good News truly sink in? Do we let it shape our choices, our attitudes, and our relationships? The Gospel is not merely to be proclaimed with our lips; it must also shine through our actions. A genuine response to God’s Word will transform our hearts and show in the way we live.
2. God’s call often comes when we least expect it
The disciples in Mark’s Gospel were mending their nets and earning their living. Right there in the middle of ordinary work, Jesus called them to something extraordinary: “Come, follow me.” God’s invitation can reach us while we are busy with our routines—cooking, studying, working, or caring for others. We do not need to be perfect or idle to hear His voice; we simply need a listening heart, ready to respond when He calls.
3. Following means giving up
When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they left their nets immediately. They surrendered their livelihood, security, and comfort to follow Him. Likewise, if we truly desire to follow Christ, we must be willing to let go of certain “nets” in our lives—attachments, sins, or distractions that keep us from wholeheartedly giving ourselves to the Lord. Surrender may be difficult, but it opens the door to blessings beyond our imagination.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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