Jonah 3: 1-5, 10; Psalm 24(25): 4-9; 1 Cor 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20
In the short book of Jonah, God sent a great fish to force Jonah back to the mission God had given him, to warn Nineveh that it was to be destroyed. But, after the fish had spewed Jonah back on to dry land, Jonah was still angry that God relented. He had run away to avoid drawing God’s mercy on the hated city, believing only Jews were worthy of God’s mercy.
After praying for pardon, the Psalm meditates on God’s goodness towards the just.
Responding to questions from the Corinthians about married life, Paul gives detailed advice – but against the background of expecting Jesus to return in glory virtually any minute There may also have been a famine when he was writing. They should not be alarmed by any current world crisis, even if normal activities are interrupted for a time. But one day the world will end. What will matter then is their faithfulness to the Lord, whatever their social circumstances.
Last week we heard from the Gospel of John about Jesus calling the first disciples. Our year B readings from the Gospel of Mark now resume until Lent, then continuing after Trinity Sunday. Mark describes Jesus beginning his ministry by first proclaiming the Good News, and then also calling the first disciples.
Psalm Response; Lord, make me know your ways.
(Jonah 3: 1-5, 10; Psalm 24(25): 4-9; 1 Cor 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20)