"Repent, and believe in the Gospel:

Today, on the first day of Ordinary Time, the daily cycle of Gospel readings begins with the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry in the Gospel according to Saint Mark (1:14-20).

Our Lord’s exhortation is simple:

Repent, and believe in the Gospel.

We have heard this before, of course, but it is important for us to really hear it again, especially at the beginning of the year.

I mean, REALLY hear it.

Over time, it is easy to drift a little: to let peer pressure, inertia, and a series of small compromises move us away from fully embracing and living the Truth.

May our Lord Jesus Christ give us the grace NOW to repent and to believe even more fully in His Gospel.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me - a sinner.