Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Samuel 1:1-8: Elkanah, who had two wives, showed special love to childless Hannah. Peninnah, the other wife, would provoke Hannah, causing her great sadness, but Elkanah tried to comfort her.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116: I praise the Lord for his goodness, fulfilling my vows and offering thanks in his house, acknowledging his care for the faithful and my own freedom through his help.
• Gospel – Mark 1:14-20: Jesus preached in Galilee, calling Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him. They immediately left their lives as fishermen and responded to his call to become “fishers of men.”

Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mark 1:17

On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings from 1 Samuel and the Gospel of Mark offer reflections on faith, calling, and trust in God. These themes encourage us to turn to God in our struggles and follow Jesus with an open heart.

• Faith in difficult times: In 1 Samuel, Hannah faces deep sorrow and frustration. Her story shows that in moments of pain, we are called to trust in God and continue seeking His help.
• Calling to discipleship: In the Gospel, Jesus calls His first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John. This reminds us that we are all invited to follow Jesus, no matter where we are in life.
• Leaving everything behind: The disciples leave their nets and families to follow Jesus. This highlights the call to let go of what holds us back and trust fully in the path Jesus offers.
• God listens to our cries: In 1 Samuel, Hannah’s pain is real, but God is attentive to her suffering. We are reminded that God always hears our prayers, especially in times of struggle and despair.
• Immediate response to Jesus: The disciples in the Gospel respond immediately to Jesus’ call. This shows the importance of trusting Jesus and being ready to follow Him without delay.
• God’s presence in our struggles: Both readings highlight God’s presence in difficult times, whether through Hannah’s sorrow or the disciples’ challenges in leaving everything behind. God is always with us, guiding us even in tough moments.

The readings for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encourage us to place our trust in God’s guidance and be open to His call. As we reflect on these themes, we are reminded to follow Jesus with faith and readiness, even in moments of uncertainty.

Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to reflect on trust, faith, and responding to God’s call. In both the first reading and the Gospel, we see how ordinary people, like Hannah and the first disciples, are called to trust in God and follow His plan. These reflections remind us that God is always present in our struggles and that He invites us to follow Him, no matter where we are in life.

Trusting God in Times of Sorrow

In the first reading for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we encounter Hannah, who is deeply sorrowful because she cannot have children. Her pain is real and overwhelming, yet in her struggle, she turns to God with her grief. Hannah’s story shows us that in moments of pain and frustration, we are called to trust in God’s love and care.

Hannah’s faith doesn’t mean her problems are instantly solved, but it means she knows where to turn. Even in her despair, she continues to seek God’s help, believing that He hears her cries. Her persistence in prayer teaches us the importance of remaining faithful, even when we do not understand why we are suffering.

On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that God is present in our struggles. Like Hannah, we can bring our deepest hurts and worries to God, trusting that He is listening and will guide us through difficult times.

The Call to Follow Jesus

In the Gospel for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus calls His first disciples—Simon, Andrew, James, and John—to follow Him. These men were fishermen, living ordinary lives, when Jesus invited them into a new way of life. Their story reminds us that Jesus calls each of us, no matter who we are or what our daily life looks like.

Jesus’ invitation to the disciples was not about their qualifications but about their willingness to follow Him. In the same way, Jesus invites us to follow Him, right where we are. We don’t need to be perfect or extraordinary; we just need to be open to His call.

On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are encouraged to listen for Jesus’ call in our own lives. Whether in small moments or big decisions, Jesus is always inviting us to follow Him more closely.

Responding to God’s Call with Trust

Both Hannah in the first reading and the disciples in the Gospel for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show us examples of trusting God’s call. Hannah trusts that God hears her prayers, even in her sadness. The disciples trust Jesus’ call to leave their work and follow Him into an unknown future.

In both cases, responding to God requires trust. For Hannah, it is trust in God’s ability to answer her prayers. For the disciples, it is trust in Jesus’ promise to lead them to something greater than their fishing nets. Their willingness to trust and follow God’s lead shows us how faith can shape our lives.

Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to consider how we are responding to God’s call in our own lives. Are we willing to trust Him, even when the future is uncertain? Like Hannah and the disciples, we are encouraged to take a step of faith, trusting that God will guide and provide for us.

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As we reflect on Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded to place our trust in God, especially in times of difficulty. Like Hannah and the disciples, we are called to listen to His call and respond with faith, knowing that God is always with us. Let us continue to trust in His guidance as we seek to follow Him more closely each day.

Prayer

Lord, help us trust in You, even when life feels difficult. Guide us to follow Your call with open hearts, like Hannah and the first disciples. Give us the courage to leave behind what holds us back and the faith to know You are always with us. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I trust God more when I am going through difficult times?
• What might I need to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely?
• How is God calling me to respond to His invitation in my life right now?
• In what ways can I be more open to hearing and trusting God’s call?

Word on Fire: Pursuing Christ with Urgency

In a USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Msgr. James Vlaun emphasizes the urgency of responding to Christ’s call now, not later. Reflecting on the Gospel, where Jesus calls His first disciples, Msgr. Vlaun encourages us to actively pursue Christ through prayer and study. He shares a story of a friend who, even after being diagnosed as terminally ill, kept moving forward in faith and love. We are reminded that now is the time to repent, believe the Gospel, and draw closer to Jesus.

What date is Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday January 12, 2026.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday January 12, 2026 are:
First Reading  – 1 Samuel 1:1-8: Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116: A Sacrifice of Praise to the Lord
Gospel – Mark 1:14-20: The Call to Follow

Why is Hannah so upset in the first reading for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Hannah is deeply upset because she is unable to have children, which causes her great sorrow. Her pain reminds us that we can bring our struggles to God in prayer, trusting that He listens.

What can we learn from Hannah’s faith?

Hannah’s deep faith shows us the importance of persistence in prayer. Even in her suffering, she continues to trust in God, reminding us to hold on to faith during hard times.

What does it mean when Jesus calls the disciples in the Gospel for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus invites Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him. This shows that Jesus calls ordinary people, wherever they are, to join Him and be part of His mission.

Why do the disciples leave everything behind to follow Jesus?

When Jesus calls the disciples, they leave their work and families to follow Him. This teaches us that following Jesus sometimes requires letting go of our own plans and trusting fully in God’s guidance.

How can I apply the immediate response of the disciples to my life?

The disciples respond to Jesus’ call without hesitation. We are encouraged to be open and ready to follow Jesus in our own lives, trusting that His path is the right one.

What do these readings say about trusting God?

Both readings for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 highlight trust in God. Hannah trusts God with her deepest sorrow, and the disciples trust Jesus enough to leave everything behind. These examples remind us to place our faith in God’s plan, even when it’s difficult.