FIRST READING
The Ninevites turned from their evil ways.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jonah (Jonah 3: 1-5.10)
The word of the Lord came to Jonah saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he cried, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented said he would do to them; and he did not do.
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 25:4-5ab.6 and 7bc.8-9 (R. 4a)
R. O Lord, make me know your ways.
O Lord, make me know your ways.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God of my salvation. R.
Remember your compassion, O Lord,
and your merciful love, for they are from of old.
In your merciful love remember me,
Because of your goodness, O Lord. R.
R. O Lord, make me know your ways.
Good and upright is the Lord;
he shows the way to sinners.
He guides the humble in right judgement;
to the humble he teaches his way. R.
SECOND READING
“The form of this world is passing away.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1Corinthians 7:29-3l)
I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who, deal with the world, as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia. The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
”Repent, rind believe the food News.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark1:14-20)
After John was arrested; Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.” And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw, Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
REFLECTION
On this third Sunday of the Church’s Liturgical Year, the readings teach us that once we are ready and willing to repent of our sinful ways, God is ready to forgive us. People of Nineveh repented of their sinful lives and as a sign of their repentance they put on sack clothes and fasted. The Lord saw their repentance and showed his great mercy towards them. Jesus also began his ministry by calling us to repentance. Therefore, when Jesus calls us to assist in spreading the kingdom of God on earth by bringing others into the fold, we should not allow for any hindrance. We should be fully detached from everything that hinders us from working for the kingdom of God just like Peter, Andrew, James and John who left everything in order to follow Jesus.