Monday of week 1 in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
At the very beginning of His public ministry, Jesus speaks words that set the direction for all time: “The time has come, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.” These first words are not a warning but an invitation, an announcement that God is no longer distant and that history has reached a decisive moment. The closeness of the Kingdom calls for a response of heart and life: repentance as a change of direction, and faith as trust in God’s saving action. Jesus’ call to the first disciples immediately follows this proclamation, showing that the Good News is meant to be lived, not merely heard. This passage reminds us that Christian life begins when we recognize that now is the time to respond, to leave behind what no longer gives life, and to follow Christ with confidence that God’s reign is already unfolding among us. Let’s reflect: Do I recognize that now is the moment God is calling me to change direction, trust the Good News, and follow Christ more decisively in my daily life?
Don Giorgio