Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1, 14-20

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.

The call to follow

1.  Conversion. Beginning a new year is a good opportunity to think about what we did the previous year, what we did right, and what we didn’t, and must not repeat this year, so that we may learn from past mistakes. We must meditate on the things we must change, so we can grow in order for our life to be more fruitful. We must work on aspects of our life that must be changed and turn things around for the better.  Think of what you do or what you have. Do these things make you a better person? Maybe this is an opportunity to start afresh.

2. He calls. Your vocation is a call from God to you. I am sure there are many Christians by name only, and that is why I want to address you, too. You are called upon to participate. It is your mission in this world to find your purpose to live. Committed Christians devote their life to evangelizing. They are Christians who have met Jesus. When I celebrate mass in the mountains or in the countryside (in very small places), I see amazing devotion. I’m full of joy because I see many people who are really seeking Jesus. There are people who even ride 3 hours just to go to mass… and you say: “Wow, that’s Christian vocation”!  I also think of many people who have had a real encounter with Jesus at a retreat and today are evangelizers; people who are “hungry” to bring Jesus to this world and who are “contagious”.

3. Action. God calls you not to be a spectator, but rather a participant in taking his word to others. God asks you to be his instrument to serve him, the way you are. He asks you to serve with love and help others.  You are called to take Jesus to everyday life: in your job, and in your daily routine. It is by doing your best, doing what needs to be done, but doing it well, where you become sanctified. Offer your work to God today. Offer to meet Him at your workplace, so that work also becomes a prayer. 

Remember that something good is on the way!