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Gospel Reading for January 12, 2026 – Mark 1: 14-20
STAUNCH FOLLOWERS
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.
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Before we can be “fishers of men,” or before we will be able to encourage other people to go to Jesus and follow him, we ourselves have to follow him COMPLETELY or ALL THE WAY. As he said in Luke 9: 60 – “Let the dead bury their own dead; but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” and in Luke 9: 62 – “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
We can say that Jesus aptly chose fishermen to be among his 12 disciples because fishermen are more or less resolute and so focused in their goal of catching fish. They don’t easily give up when they don’t catch fishes, and they do not mind staying up all night trying to catch them. Unlike call center agents who also have to work at night, fishermen are not comfortable. They have to be brave enough to be in deep waters, putting up with the weather and being in the total darkness of the sea. Remember in Luke 5: 4-11, where Jesus tells Simon Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” Peter replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” and this led to a miraculous catch of fish.
These are the qualities we need to be faithful or STAUNCH FOLLOWERS of Jesus – being true to his teachings; unwavering, firm and resoluteness in our convictions; strong commitment and support despite trends and risks.
Lord Jesus, may we acquire the qualities we need to be your STAUNCH FOLLOWERS!
