“You Too Go Into My Vineyard!” (Matt 20:4)

⏰MONDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK (14 January 2019)

📑Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1 and 2b, 6 and 7c, 9 (R.v.7c); Mark 1:14-20

There is something very spectacular that takes place in the Catholic Church today. We made a reference to it yesterday. There is once again a change in the liturgical colour as we begin fully the Ordinary time of the Year. Meanwhile, we did say that the “Ordinary Time of the Year” is so called not because it is less important that other seasons, but because of the orderly way it is arranged into 34 weeks.

So, we use the green colour at this Ordinary Time. Green is a sign of life, a sign of vegetation. Hence, we are called at this period to bear good and lasting fruits (cf. John 15:16).

To do that effectively, the Letter to the Hebrews, right from its beginning, invites us to fix our gaze on Jesus who is summit of all prophecies and revelations (Heb 1:1-6). Shortly after his baptism, he came into Galilee and began to preach the good news (Mark 1:14).

He wants us to join him in preaching that good news. That is why he called and commissioned his disciples. Let us note this concerning the call of the first four disciples; Jesus called them at the place of their job, and commissioned them with words associated with their job, “I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).

Jesus is not calling you to do something extraordinary. Preach the Gospel with that thing you are known for. Just let the people who would encounter you see the face of Jesus in you. That is evangelization.

May God grant us a renewed zeal for the Gospel so that we may labour to make his name be known and adored in all the ends of the earth. Amen.

Have a happy and productive week ahead. Peace be with you.