1ST MONDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A

1ST MONDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Today, we begin the Ordinary Time. The word “ordinary ” comes from the Latin word, “ordo”, “ordinis” which means “in order.” Thus, in Ordinary Time, we go through our readings in order. Except for special feasts, the Gospel of Mark will be proclaimed for the next seven and half weeks of Ordinary Time, and in order, until we get to Ash Wednesday on March 4th. The First Readings are based on a two year cycle, and this is Year 1. The next four weeks will be from the Letter to the Hebrews.
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The readings of today remind us of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The Letter to the Hebrews (Heb 1: 1-6) points to the fact that Jesus is the clearest messenger of God’s revelation. God has always sought to communicate Himself to us, yet due to our limitedness, the prophets of old have not been able to fully transmit this divine message. In our own time, God in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, the radiant light of God’s glory, has spoken and still speaking to us. As God, He brings to fulfilment all the prophecies of old.
In the gospel (Mark 1: 14-20), Jesus begins His mission by announcing the coming of the Reign of God and calling His first four disciples, Simon, Andrew, James and John- fishermen turned into fishers of men.
Dear friends, characteristic of Jesus, He chose ordinary human individuals to further the course of the Reign of God. His mission is not based on status but on willingness. He did not call the qualified. Rather, He qualified those called. Through our baptism, we have been chosen and equipped for the divine mission of bearing the Good News. Do I have any excuse not to be a part of this divine movement?
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will submit our lives like clay in the hand of the potter – Jesus, to be moulded and directed. May we be a veritable instrument in bringing the Good News of Salvation to others by living out the Gospel daily in our lives. May God open our hearts to accept the words of His Son (Acts 16: 14). Have a mission-full day!
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