Monday, January 13, 2020 — First week of Ordinary time — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1, 14-20 —  blessed are those who have heard the word in a good and generous heart, who keep it and bear fruit with perseverance.

Proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is Christ's saving mission on earth. At the centre of this mission is conversion and faith in the Gospel. Conversion is the first act, the first step for those who want to receive the Kingdom of God, that is, a choice for a profound change by separating from the bad life that goes against God's will for a new life.

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of justice and love. Jesus calls men to extend this kingdom, men who already have their work, men who are already at work: fishermen. The first disciples are already hardened in their profession, but this time Jesus calls them not to catch fish, but men. The foundation of the Church is already in sight, the net where all men will be gathered. Jesus calls for simple people capable of bringing the Good News to all men so that they may be converted.

In our Church, God calls certain people in a special way: priests and religious. But there is also those lay faithful who are called to bear the Good News through their commitment to the Church. Whatever the call, the goal is a Church-Communion, an assembly committed to proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God for the salvation of the world.