Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Monday January 10, 2028
Called to Follow Jesus
Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 begins the daily journey through the season after the Baptism of the Lord. Ordinary Time is a time to grow in faith and learn to follow Jesus in everyday life. The readings for this day remind us that God calls each person with care and purpose.
In the first reading, we hear about Hannah, who suffers because she has no child. Her sadness shows how hard waiting can be, yet her faith remains strong. Through her story, we see how God hears the cries of those who trust in him, even when answers seem far away.
The psalm is a song of thanksgiving for God’s goodness and mercy. It reminds us to give thanks for all the ways God rescues and blesses us. Gratitude helps us stay close to him and see his hand at work in our lives.
The Gospel tells how Jesus calls his first followers. Simon, Andrew, James, and John leave everything to follow him. Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 invites us to hear that same call. Jesus asks us to trust him, to let go of what holds us back, and to walk with him in faith.
Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2
- 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.”
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.
Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 1:17
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
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.
Thoughts for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
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.
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?
Homilies and Commentaries for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
- Is There a Villain in this Story? (Order of Preachers)
- The Time Is Fulfilled (Pray as You Go)
- Following, Unprepared (Jesuits)
- Searching for Fulfillment (Dynamic Catholic)
- The Time Is Now (Word on Fire)
- Called Where You Are (USCCB)
- More Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2
Is There a Villain in this Story?
For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, Deborah Wilhelm invites a fresh way of reading a familiar story. She asks whether the story really needs a villain and turns attention to Peninnah, a character often judged and then forgotten. Rather than defending bad behavior, the reflection questions the system that placed two women in painful competition and tied their worth to children and favor.
Wilhelm suggests that Peninnah may be more wounded than wicked. She imagines the pain of living in the shadow of another spouse’s love and the quiet shame that could shape cruel actions. For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, the reflection widens the lens. It reminds us that people pushed aside or labeled as problems still matter to God. Discipleship calls us to notice them, listen to their stories, and work for healing and belonging, not easy blame.
The Time Is Fulfilled
For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, the Pray As You Go reflection invites readers to slow down and enter the call story from Mark 1:14–20. The focus is not on the details of fishing or geography, but on the moment of being called. Jesus speaks, and ordinary people are asked to follow. The reflection highlights how sudden and unsettling that call can feel, even when it comes with hope.
The reflection then turns inward. It asks what calling looks like now, in daily life. Few are asked to leave boats or nets, yet the same mix of fear, trust, and hesitation remains. For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, the prayer encourages imagining Jesus calling in the present moment. It makes space to notice resistance, gratitude, or quiet desire, and to speak honestly with Jesus about how faith is being lived right now.
Music: Ndikhokhele Bawo by Cape Town Camerata and The Way Everlasting by Raphah
Following, Unprepared
For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, Jackie Schulte reflects on how uneasy it can feel to act without a clear plan. She admits a strong desire to be prepared, then contrasts that with the Gospel scene where Jesus offers no details at all. The fishermen receive no explanation, only an invitation. They leave nets, boats, and routines behind, even though the future is unclear.
Schulte points out that this moment challenges our need for control. The disciples do not wait until they feel ready or fully informed. They respond because something in Jesus’ call speaks to their deepest hopes. For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, the reflection suggests that discernment is not always about more facts. Sometimes it is about trust. Jesus may be calling us to begin something before we feel prepared, asking us to rely on his presence rather than our plans.
Searching for Fulfillment
For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, Matthew Kelly reflects on how much meaning can be found in small details of the Gospel. A single word or phrase can open a deeper message. Kelly is drawn to the line, “the time is fulfilled.” He notes how much of life is spent waiting, hoping, or worrying. Jesus’ words remind us that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.
Kelly connects this to faith. God’s plan is unfolding, whether life feels calm or hard. He shares the example of a bishop who remained faithful while imprisoned, trusting that God was still working through him. For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, the reflection invites an honest look at faith. Is it strong, weak, or unsure? Wherever it stands, Kelly encourages asking God for the grace to grow in trust and confidence.
The Time Is Now
For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on Jesus’ first public message in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled and that something long awaited has arrived. All the hopes, promises, and stories of Israel are gathered into one person. The good news is not an idea or a rule. The good news is Jesus himself, standing there and calling people to respond.
Bishop Barron explains that this moment demands a choice. Like Simon, Andrew, James, and John, we are asked to decide when Jesus passes by. For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, the reflection reminds us that following Jesus is not passive. It means sharing in his mission. When Jesus says, “I will make you fishers of men,” he speaks to all the baptized, calling each of us to invite others into the life of God.
Called Where You Are
For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, Msgr. James Vlaun reflects on how Jesus calls the apostles right in the middle of daily life. They are ordinary fishermen, not scholars or holy figures set apart. Their story shows that God often calls common people through simple moments. Vocation usually begins quietly, while we are doing familiar work, not in dramatic or holy settings.
Msgr. Vlaun also points to how the call happens and what it offers. The apostles respond from the heart, not after long planning or debate. Jesus touches something deep within them, and they follow. They are given a task, not a full map of the future. For Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, this reflection reminds us that our own calling grows over time. The Lord meets us in everyday places and invites us to follow, right where we are.
More Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2
Resources
The First Book of Samuel: Faith Tested and Comforted
In 1 Samuel 1:1-8, the story of Hannah shows how deep personal pain can lead to greater faith. Her longing for a child and Peninnah’s cruelty set the stage for God’s mercy to be revealed. Elkanah’s compassion shows human love, but Hannah’s faith will soon draw her closer to God’s plan for Israel.
This reading connects to the book’s larger theme of God raising up leaders through humble beginnings. From Hannah’s sorrow will come Samuel, who helps guide Israel toward kingship and covenant renewal. On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, we remember how God works through those who trust in him despite suffering.
Psalm 116: Thanksgiving for Deliverance
Psalm 116 expresses gratitude for God’s mercy and rescue. The psalmist rejoices in being freed from distress and pledges to honor God publicly. It reflects a deep trust that the Lord listens to the cries of the faithful and remains close in every hardship.
This psalm fits within the Book of Psalms as a song of faithfulness and gratitude. It highlights how prayer and thanksgiving build a bond of love between God and his people. On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, we echo this thanksgiving in our own lives.
The Gospel of Mark: The Call to Follow
In Mark 1:14-20, Jesus begins his ministry after John’s arrest, proclaiming that the kingdom of God is near. His call to Simon, Andrew, James, and John to leave everything shows the urgency and simplicity of discipleship. The fishermen respond without hesitation, modeling how faith leads to immediate action.
This passage reflects Mark’s focus on the power of Jesus’ presence and the quick unfolding of God’s plan. The Gospel moves swiftly, showing how Jesus’ word transforms lives and invites all to follow. On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2, we are reminded that God’s call asks for both trust and response.
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Nets Left Behind
This image for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 captures the moment of decision in the Gospel of Mark. The empty nets resting by the sea remind us of Simon, Andrew, James, and John leaving their work to follow Jesus.
Use this artwork in your bulletin, newsletter, or youth ministry to invite reflection on answering God’s call with trust and courage.
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Questions and Answers for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
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.
Called to Follow with Faith
On Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings introduce us to two powerful stories of faith and personal struggle. In the first reading, we meet Hannah, a woman deeply loved by her husband, Elkanah, yet deeply saddened by her inability to bear children. While Elkanah tries to comfort her, her pain is made worse by the constant ridicule of Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah. Through her experience, we glimpse the weight of sorrow and the power of love and support. Hannah’s story encourages us to seek God’s comfort, even in moments of deep personal challenge.
In the Gospel, we see the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, where he calls his first disciples. As Jesus invites Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him and become “fishers of men,” they respond immediately, leaving behind their lives as fishermen. Their decision to follow without hesitation shows the trust they placed in Jesus. This scene marks the start of their journey as followers of Christ, a journey that would transform their lives.
These readings remind us that God invites each of us to take a step of faith. Whether through patient endurance, like Hannah’s, or through the willingness to leave our comfort zones like the disciples, we are called to trust God’s purpose for us. Both Hannah and the disciples demonstrate openness to God’s presence and action in their lives, inviting us to do the same.
Your Turn
Reflecting on Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are encouraged to think about how we respond to God’s call. Do we bring our concerns to Him as Hannah did? Are we willing to leave behind what’s comfortable, like the disciples?
Consider these questions, and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. By exploring these readings together, we can learn more about faith, courage, and responding to God’s guidance in our own lives.