Gospel Mark 1:14-20 I will make you into fishers of men 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. Reflection In this passage, Jesus begins his public ministry with a clear and urgent message: the kingdom of God is near, and it demands a response—repentance and faith. As he calls his first dis...
Gospel Matthew 3:13-17 'This is my Son, the Beloved' Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him. As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’ Reflection In this profound moment of Jesus' baptism, we witness profound humility: the sinless Son of God insists on being baptized by John, not out of need, but to fully identify with humanity and fulfill all righteousness. As Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice aff...