Greetings on this the Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Heb 1:1-6; 97:1 and 2b, 6 and 7c, 9; Mk 1:14-20
John was Arrested
Royal marriages were instruments of international politics. John’s prophecy against Herod Antipas’s marriage to his brother wife Herodias, alienated the Nabatean king Aretas IV, father of his first wife, and deemed by John to be was politically incendiary. (NRSV Oxford Bible notes on John).
Tetrarch, popularlly known as king, Herod had John the Baptist beheaded.
Later, King Herod and Herodias were sent into exile due to his poor leadership of the people.
Note: You just can’t make this stuff up.
Jesus Begins Ministry
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.”
Then he started to gather followers, his disciples, later to be known as Apostles demarked when he specifically sends them (Mk 6).
Response
Repent, return to God’s way, is in RESPONSE to the good news of God’s plan.
The Gospel is both person and message.
The Gospel is both thought and action.
The mission of Christians is to be fishers of men.
The action is to aid men and women to become peacemakers by lives of the Beatitudes.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 