Liturgical Readings for : Sunday, 21st January, 2024
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Sunday of the Word of God
Mark presents the Gospel of salvation within the context and plan of the life of Jesus Christ. That life is the story of the suffering Messiah, seen in the light of the Resurrection. The faithful learn that the path to victory is by suffering discipleship. But the ‘between times’ are difficult and there is no other way. The call to follow Christ is the call to repent and believe.
FIRST READING
A reading from the prophet Jonah 3:1-5. 10
And the people of Nineveh renounce their evil behaviour.
The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah:
‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.‘
Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words,
‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’
And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour.
And God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:4-9
Response Lord, make me know your ways.
1. Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are God my saviour. Response
2. Remember your mercy, Lord, and the love you have shown from of old.
In your love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. Response
3. The Lord is good and upright. He shows the path to those who stray,
he guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor. Response
SECOND READING
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 7:29-31 Glory to you, O Lord
The world as we know is passing away.
Brothers: our time is growing short.
Those who have wives should live as though they had none, and those who mourn should live as though they had nothing to mourn for;
those who are enjoying life should live as though there were nothing to laugh about;
those whose life is buying things should live as though they had nothing of their own; and
those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it.
I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation 1 Sam 3:9
Alleluia, alleluia!
The kingdom of God is close at hand; believe the good news.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1:14-20
Repent, and believe the Good News.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God.
‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand.
Repent, and believe the Good News.’
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’
And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd
