Reading 1
Heb 1:1-6
Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he spoke to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.
When he had accomplished purification from sins,
he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a Son to me?
And again, when he leads the first born into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.
Ps 97:1 and 2b, 6 and 7c, 9
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 7c)
Let all his angels worship him.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Let all his angels worship him.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Let all his angels worship him.
R. Let all his angels worship him.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. Let all his angels worship him.
Gospel
Mk 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 left 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.
Meditation: Hebrews 1:1-6
“Let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1:6)
O Lord, you are great and worthy of all praise! For you, Jesus, are the Word of God, his final word to his people, and the greatest revelation of his love, his majesty, and his mercy. From generation to generation, your Father spoke to his people through prophets and kings, through mighty warriors and humble laborers. But now in you he has given us “the very imprint of his being” (Hebrews 1:3)!
Jesus, we join with the angels in worshipping you today, for you have “accomplished purification from sins” for all of us (Hebrews 1:3). No one is outside of your power to redeem. No sin is too awful for you to forgive. And not only do you pardon our transgressions, you purify us! You wash us so clean that all of our guilt melts away, and we can begin again, freed from anxiety, worry, or frustration over our past. By your cross, you have done what thousands upon thousands of Jewish sacrifices could not do. You have opened the door to heaven and invited all of us to “confidently approach the throne of grace” (4:16). What an awesome gift!
All praise and glory belongs to you, Jesus, because you are now seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). Every power, every force in heaven and on earth, is subject to you. You are exalted as Lord of heaven and earth, and you have inherited a kingdom that will never end. Though nation rise against nation, though people of different tribes and races wage war against each other, you have promised to bring peace and reconciliation according to your wisdom and your Father’s timing. Likewise, though our own sins rise up within us, though we too falter at times and give in to the devil’s temptations, you have promised that one day we will be set free completely. All we have to do is keep our eyes fixed on you, and you will deliver us!
Jesus, you are the “heir of all things,” and all things belong to you (Hebrews 1:2). We belong to you, Lord! So take our lives today and rule them. Fashion us, Jesus, into the people you have called us to be. Lord, we want to live in worship of you!
“Jesus, we are in awe of you, and we give you our hearts!”
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