January 2026

Pope Saint Marcellus I

Profile

Nothing of his life before the papacy has survived the centuries. He was a Pope at the end of the persecutions of Diocletian; the persecutions had so disrupted the Church that there had been a gap of over a year with no Pope. He was faced with reconstituting the clergy which had been decimated and whose remnant had practiced their vocation covertly and with the expectation of martyrdom. He worked to recover and welcome back those who had denied the faith to keep from being murdered.

When a group people apostatized before and during a period of persecution, they refused to do penance in order to return to the Church (they were known as the Lapsi), Marcellus refused to allow their return to the Church. This group had some political pull, and caused such civil disruption that Emperor Maxentius exiled the Pope in order to settle the matter. Legend says that Marcellus was forced to work as a stable slave as punishment, but this appears to be fiction. He was considered a martyr as he died of the terrible conditions he suffered in exile.

Papal Ascension

  • May-June 308

Died

  • 309
  • initially buried in the cemetery of Saint Priscilla in Rome, Italy
  • relics later translated to beneath the altar of San Marcello al Corso church in Rome where they remain today

Canonized

  • Pre-Congregation

Patronage

  • horses
  • stablemen
  • in Italy
    – Anversa degli Abruzzi
    – Montemarzo di Asti

Representation

  • pope with a donkey or horse nearby
  • pope standing in a stable

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/pope-saint-marcellus-i/

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Mark 2:9-11

Preaching, Forgiveness, and Miracles

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

Reflection:

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum. Shortly after calling His first Apostles, Jesus preached in the synagogue, leaving many amazed. After healing a demoniac and Peter’s mother-in-law, the whole town gathered at the house where Jesus was staying, and “He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him” (Mark 1:34).

After this, Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to pray, despite the people’s growing fascination with His miracles. When the Apostles found Him, He revealed the essence of His mission: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come” (Mark 1:38). From there, He and His Apostles traveled to other towns, fulfilling His primary mission: to preach the Good News of repentance and reconciliation with God.

In one of these towns, out of deep compassion, Jesus healed a leper. However, this miracle only intensified the people’s focus on His power to heal, overshadowing His preaching. When crowds pursued Him seeking miracles, He returned to Capernaum, which brings us to today’s Gospel.

In Capernaum, Jesus resumed His primary mission: “He preached the word to them” (Mark 2:2). Yet the people, who were focused more on His miraculous works, crowded around Him. As Jesus preached—likely in Peter’s house—some men arrived carrying a paralytic. They were unable to enter because of the crowd, so they climbed to the roof, opened it, and lowered the man down.

What happens next is profound: Jesus looks at the man and says, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). Jesus does not first address the man’s physical paralysis. Instead, He speaks to the man’s deeper need—his spiritual healing. Jesus recognized the faith of the paralytic and that of those who brought him and forgave the man’s sins. Why does Jesus do this? Because spiritual healing takes precedence over physical healing. Jesus’ primary mission was to call sinners to repentance and bring about reconciliation with God. Physical healing was always secondary.

When the scribes question Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, they fail to recognize that Jesus is not just a miracle worker—He is the Son of God. To teach them about His authority to forgive sins, Jesus says: “‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth’—he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’” The man did just that in full view of everyone, leaving the crowd astonished. The physical healing is a visible sign of Jesus’ invisible power to forgive sins. Hence, the miracle in today’s Gospel, which is of secondary importance, was performed to teach the people about Jesus’ primary mission.

In each of our lives, Jesus wants to fulfill His primary mission. He wants to forgive our sins and reconcile us with the Father and with Himself. First and foremost, this takes place through the powerful and transforming Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s amazing that even though that Sacrament fulfills the essence of Jesus’ mission, many fail to take advantage of that grace, preferring instead to seek other favors from God of their own choosing.

Reflect today on your approach to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Do you regularly bring your sins to Jesus in faith, allowing Him to heal and reconcile you to the Father? As you ponder today’s Gospel, place yourself in the shoes of the paralytic. See yourself as Jesus sees you—someone in need of His mercy and grace. Though He may grant us many blessings, the greatest gift He desires to bestow is the forgiveness of our sins. Yearn to hear His words echo in your heart in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: “Child, your sins are forgiven.”

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/15/preaching-forgiveness-and-miracles/

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Saint John Calabytes

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John was born wealthy. He ran away from home as a child, and became a monk at Gomon on the Bosphorus at age 12. When he finally returned home as a beggar at age 18, his family did not recognize him. However, they did recognize that he was a holy man, and the family allowed him to live as a hermit in a small hut (a calybe in Greek) near their front door. Only on his death were they were informed of his real identity. His story has led to his being a symbol of homelessness, and how we may not recognize the humanity in the poor and homeless in our midst.

Born

  • at Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey)

Died

  • c.450 of natural causes

Representation

  • beggar with a Gospel in his hand
  • beggar revealing his identity to his parents on his death bed

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-calabytes/

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Mark 1:44

Messianic Secret

“See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

Reflection:

Miracles amaze and inspire us. For that reason, it is common for people of faith to pray for them. They are acts of God’s great mercy, but the miracles we pray for are not always part of God’s plan. In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a leper who comes to Him, kneels down, and says, “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). After that, Jesus’ Sacred Heart is moved with compassion, so He says to the leper, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). Once healed, Jesus does something that might surprise us: He tells the man not to tell anyone about the healing. Why the secrecy?

This pattern of a divine manifestation of Jesus’ power, followed by His command not to publicize the experience, is often referred to as Jesus’ “Messianic Secret.” We see this invitation to secrecy especially throughout the Synoptic Gospels. For example, after Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus “warned them not to tell anyone about him.” (Mark 8:30). Similarly, following the Transfiguration, He commands Peter, James, and John, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead” (Matthew 17:9). Even when Jesus silences demons who proclaim His identity, such as when they cry out, “You are the Son of God,” He “rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah” (Luke 4:41).

This pattern of secrecy highlights an important truth: Jesus’ identity as the Messiah could not be fully understood apart from the Cross and the Resurrection. At this early stage in His ministry, publicizing His miracles risked distorting His mission, as many people expected a political or earthly Messiah. The fact that Jesus manifested His divine power at times led many to seek Him out for that power rather than for the real purpose of His mission. We must learn from this pattern and seek out Jesus for the right reasons.

The Messianic Secret reminds us that while miracles reveal God’s mercy and power, they are not ends in themselves. Rather, they point to the deeper truth of Christ’s mission. He came to reconcile humanity to the Father through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This truth calls us to embrace God’s will over our own preferences, humbly recognizing that God’s plan unfolds according to His ways and timing, not ours.

Do you desire miracles in your life? It’s understandable that when we encounter some heavy burden we might ask God to intervene and resolve the situation. God sometimes does so, but only when, in His wisdom, He sees that the answered prayer will bear the most important fruit He desires to bestow: the sanctification of our souls, leading to our salvation.

If we want to be followers of Christ, it’s important that we follow Him on His terms. The heart of the Gospel message is not, “Ask me for favors and I will grant them.” Rather, it is, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Freedom from sin is more important than physical healings or resolutions to earthly issues. In fact, God often uses physical ailments and other crosses to deepen our trust in Him because they give us an opportunity to unite ourselves to His Passion. This leads to greater holiness and eternal blessings, rather than earthly and passing rewards.

Reflect today on the miracles you might be hoping for in your own life. Are you willing to trust in God’s wisdom and timing, even if His answer is not what you want? Rather than focusing solely on temporal favors, resolve to deepen your faith in Christ’s mission. Commit to embrace His will, especially in moments of suffering or uncertainty, knowing that God’s greatest desire is your salvation. Seek first His Kingdom, confident that His plan—whether through miracles, crosses, or quiet moments of grace—will always lead you to a deeper union with Him.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/14/messianic-secret/

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Saint Nino of Georgia

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Nino was a Slave. She was not originally from Georgia and may have been brought there by her master when he emigrated. She may have been the spoils of war, or she may have fled her own war-racked homeland and become enslaved after her move to more peaceful Georgia.

Nino cured a dying child by placing her hair shirt on him, and praying over him. News of this miracle reached the Queen of Georgia, who was suffering an unspecified but untreatable malady. She sent for Nino who replied, “I am a slave. My place is not in a palace.” The Queen went to Nino, who cured her by prayer.

The royal family offered her any reward; she asked that they convert. The recently healed queen was willing, but King Mirian was not. However, soon after, while on a hunt, he found himself surrounded by wild animals. He made one of those well-known deals with God, offering to convert if he survived. The animals left, and in 325 the king asked Constantine for priests and bishops to spread the faith throughout Georgia.

This good work begun. Nino retired to live as a prayerful recluse on a mountainside at Bodbe Monastery,  Kakheti, Georgia.

Born

  • various sources place this as Cappadocia (most sources), Rome, Jerusalem, or Gaul (modern France)

Died

  • c.320 at Bodbe Monastery, Kakheti, Georgia of natural causes
  • buried in the Cathedral of Mtskheta, Georgia

Canonized

  • Pre-Congregation

Patronage

  • Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Christiana
  • Georgia
  • Azov region of Russia
  • Caspian region of Russia
  • Caucasus region of Russia

Representation

  • Georgian cross
  • grapevine cross

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-nino-of-georgia/

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Mark 1:35-39

The Priority of Prayer

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Reflection:

Jesus’ prayer was unique. He did not pray because He needed God in His life—He was and is God. Yet, in His human nature, He regularly withdrew to be alone and to pray to His Father. Jesus’ prayer teaches us two primary lessons.

First, Jesus’ prayer reveals Who He is. He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. As a member of the Trinity, Jesus prayed in solitude, not to become closer to the Father, for He and the Father are eternally one in essence; rather, His prayer expressed and revealed that perfect union to us. Unity with and love of the Father are at the center of Who He is.

Though we are not God, we are made for oneness with God. This is not an external invitation but an essential part of who we are and who we must become. In Heaven, our lives will be one ongoing and eternal expression of prayer—a perfect union with God. That union must begin now, and the foundation of its growth is prayer.

By going off alone to pray to the Father, Jesus also models for us the way to the Father. His action is prophetic, calling us to set aside moments each day for nothing other than prayer. While we are called to pray continually throughout the day, this habit is nourished by intentional moments of silence in which we immerse ourselves in God’s presence. In our fallen nature, daily moments of focused prayer are necessary for clearing the distractions of life, overcoming sin, and allowing God’s grace to draw us into deeper union with Him.

Jesus’ prayer invites us to examine our own daily prayer life. How often do you pray each day? How do you pray? Does your prayer change you, transforming you into who God made you to be? Most people easily find time every day for less important things, such as entertainment, idle conversations, and daily work. Though these things have their place, they must never overshadow that which is most important. We must learn to pray and be faithful to prayer every day.

One of the best ways to pray is to participate in the Mass. In the Mass, we most fully share in Christ’s human life, sacrifice, and divine presence. The Mass is the summit of prayer and the foundation of our spiritual life. We receive Him into our lives as we consume His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. To participate in the Mass well, daily moments of prayer are essential. At times, we must silence every other thought and actively offer our praise to God. Meditation on the Word of God is also essential. Taking time to read the Gospel, in particular, and meditating on those passages disposes us to hear God’s voice. His Word counters the many lies and temptations we face during our daily activities, preparing us to live more fully as God’s sons and daughters.

Reflect today on your commitment to daily prayer by following Jesus’ example. Resolve to find a moment of solitude in which you silence your heart and simply dwell in God’s presence. Let this time of prayer become the cornerstone of your day and a foretaste of the union with God in Heaven for which you were created. Prayer is not an option; it is the very path to becoming who we are meant to be—united with God in love, now and for all eternity.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/13/the-priority-of-prayer/

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Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Bishop and Doctor

c. 315–367; Patron Saint of children academically behind, children learning to walk, mothers, and the sick; Invoked against rheumatism and snakebites; Pre-Congregation canonization; Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851 by Pope Pius IX

Born into a wealthy pagan family in Poitiers, France, Hilary was well educated in the classics. As he looked into his own soul, however, he knew that he did not exist for the sole purpose of seeking pleasure, enjoying leisure, obtaining wealth, or merely satisfying his fleshly desires. Hilary reasoned that the human soul did not exist simply to die. Instead, it must exist for something more, something eternal, something glorious. When his pagan culture did not suffice and philosophy fell short, Hilary finally found what he was searching for when he stumbled upon the Scriptures.

Hilary was first struck by the mysterious name of God in the Old Testament: “I AM WHO I AM.” God had revealed Himself as eternal, without beginning or end—Existence itself. Then Hilary discovered the Son of God in the Gospel of John 1:1–14. Of this discovery, Hilary said, “My soul measured the mighty workings of God, wrought on the scale of His eternal omnipotence . . .by a boundless faith . . .that God was in the beginning with God, and that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . .” (De Trinitate 1.12).

Hilary had the will to believe, and in the years that followed he was given the power and gift to understand the beauty, mystery, omnipotence, and nature of the Most Holy Trinity. Shortly after these discoveries of faith, Hilary was baptized a Christian and went on to defend the doctrine of the Trinity against the “insanity and ignorance of men.” He so impressed the faithful that they chose him to be their bishop, a dignity to which he reluctantly agreed.

Among those who shared in the “insanity and ignorance” of that time were a group of bishops and laity who followed the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ, instead holding that the Son was inferior to the Father. This heresy was especially strong in the Eastern Church but was starting to spread throughout France. After Hilary was a bishop for only about five years, the emperor, an Arian himself, ordered every bishop to pledge their support for this heresy. Hilary refused. Instead, he vigorously defended the truth, and for his brave stance was exiled to Phrygia, in modern-day Turkey. In His love and providence, God used Hilary’s time of exile in powerful ways.

While in Phrygia, Bishop Hilary spent much time studying and writing. He had already composed a marvelous commentary on the Gospel of Matthew while in Poitiers, and now he set his mind to his greatest work, De Trinitate (On the Trinity). Drawing from his classical education, his knowledge of Greek, his love of the Scriptures, and from the “insanity” and “ignorance” of Arianism itself, Bishop Hilary composed a comprehensive defense of the doctrine of the Trinity as it was taught in the Nicene Creed. Bishop Hilary caused so much trouble for the Arians in Phrygia that the Arian bishops pleaded with the emperor to send him back home, a request the emperor honored.

On his return to Poitiers, Bishop Hilary took the long way home through Greece and Italy, preaching all the way, weeding out the beginnings of Arianism in the Western Church. His effectiveness came not only from his clear teaching, but also from his conciliatory approach and resolute determination. Back in Poitiers, he continued to preach, write, attend councils, and even to compose hymns. The hymns were his way of introducing the doctrines of the faith to the people of God in song. He was a true pastor who burned with a desire that everyone come to a deeper knowledge of the One God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/january-13-saint-hilary-of-poitiers-bishop-and-doctor/

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Mark 1:21-22

The Author and Teacher

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

Reflection:

Imagine attending a book study for a profound and challenging book. The group leader has read it thoroughly and consulted reviews; he shares various interpretations, offering valuable insights. You leave with a deeper understanding and gratitude for the leader’s guidance. Now imagine years later you attend another study on the same book, but this time the author leads it. The author alone can speak with absolute authority—explaining the backstory, the intent behind the words, and the true meaning of the text. Nothing compares to hearing from the one who wrote the book.

Jesus, as the eternal Son of God, is not just a teacher of Truth, but is its Co-Author, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of time, God’s Truth—His Eternal Word—has been gradually revealed through creation, the covenants, the Law, and the prophets. Yet only the Word Made Flesh could reveal Himself fully.

When Jesus entered the synagogue in Capernaum, His teaching astonished the people. The scribes, though learned and revered, taught by relying on the traditions of their ancestors and the interpretations of others. Jesus, however, spoke with divine authority. His words were not secondhand interpretations but the living, authoritative proclamation of Truth. Those who were open to faith recognized something far greater than human wisdom; they encountered the very voice of God.

The people’s astonishment reveals the transformative nature of the Word of God. Jesus did not merely interpret the Scriptures for the people; He fulfilled them and identified Himself with them. As the Author of all Truth, His words—and His very Person—carried the power to liberate and transform. This power was immediately demonstrated when He cast out the unclean spirit in the verses that follow, revealing that His word does not simply teach—it acts, healing and restoring those in bondage.

The question of Truth remains as relevant today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. In a world flooded with opinions, interpretations, and ideologies, only one thing ultimately matters: that which God speaks. We desperately need Christ’s authoritative voice in our lives today. We need Him to cut through the confusion caused by our fallen and disordered human nature and the countless erroneous ideologies that permeate our world.

Reflect today on whether you recognize the Voice of God. Are you familiar with His definitive and authoritative Word that sheds light on your life and the world around you? Do you allow yourself to be regularly astounded by God’s revelation? As we begin Ordinary Time, we enter a season during which we must hear and internalize Jesus’ many authoritative teachings during His public ministry. When properly encountered, His Word is alive and transformative. Place yourself in the synagogue in Capernaum as Jesus begins to reveal the Truth established from the foundation of the world. Allow that Truth to affect you, change you, and set you on the path that leads to eternal glory.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/12/the-author-and-teacher/

Mark 1:21-22 Read More »

Saint Benedict Biscop

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Benedict was an Anglo-Saxon nobility. He grew up around the court of King Oswy of Northumbria, and held court offices. Following a pilgrimage to Rome, he renounced his wealth and position, and dedicated himself to prayer and scripture study. He was a monk at the monastery of Saint-Honorat near Cannes, France in 666, taking the name Benedict.

In 668, Pope Saint Vitalian sent him and the monk Adrian to advise Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury until 671. Traditionally, he introduced the construction of stone churches and glass church windows to England, and brought in many foreign craftsman to do the work and teach the English. He tried to introduce more Roman rituals to English worship. He founded the monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow. He built a large library and scriptorium at Wearmouth.

In late life, Benedict suffered a painful paralysis, and was confined to his bed for his last three years. He continued to work from his bed, buying books, establishing the Benedictine Rule.

Born

  • c.628 in Northumbria, England as Benet Biscop

Died

  • 12 January 690 of natural causes at Wearmouth, England
  • relics at Thorney abbey and Glastonbury, England

Canonized

  • Pre-Congregation

Patronage

  • musicians
  • painters
  • in England
    – English Benedictines
    – Jarrow
    – Monkwearmouth
    – Sunderland

Representation

  • Benedictine abbot dressed as a bishop standing by the Tyne with two monasteries nearby
  • with the Venerable Bede

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-benedict-biscop/

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Mark 1:15-17

Do Not Hesitate

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.” As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

Reflection:

Today, as we enter into Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus’ first proclamation of the Gospel as recorded by Mark: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Those words rang true as Jesus began His public ministry, and they ring true for us today.

Imagine the scene. The Eternal Son of God took on flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He grew up in Nazareth with His parents and learned the trade of carpentry from Joseph. At the age of thirty, He was baptized by John in the Jordan River and spent forty days in the desert—fasting, praying, and overcoming the devil’s temptations. Afterward, He traveled to the Sea of Galilee and began His public ministry.

Though every moment of Jesus’ life was sacred, the first words of His public ministry stand out. The long-awaited “time of fulfillment” had arrived, and He began to proclaim, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” All that had been planned from the foundation of the world and all that was revealed in the Old Testament pointed to that moment. All of God’s promises were about to be fulfilled.

It would be fascinating to go back in time to that moment, knowing everything we know now about Jesus’ life and mission, and observe the humble beginnings of the most important activity ever to take place. The ordinary people whom He called and prepared for such an extraordinary task are exceptionally inspiring. The many people who walked by Jesus, not knowing Who He was, magnify Jesus’ humility. He hid His glory, relying on the power of His preaching and the workings of grace in the hearts of His disciples—and He continues to do so today.

Though we cannot travel back to that historical moment, we should understand that it is a moment that transcends time. Just as Jesus spoke those words long ago at the Sea of Galilee, He speaks them anew today. He says to you, “Today is the time of fulfillment for you!” “Today” is the present moment every day of our lives.

We often miss Jesus’ proclamation to us because we fail to recognize the extraordinary significance of the Word of God and the immediacy of God’s call to repentance. We must respond to that call in the same way that the first Apostles did. Jesus first encounters Peter and Andrew as they are fishing and says, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men,” and they follow. He then calls James and John, who also follow. They do not hesitate. Though Jesus had performed no miracles yet, He had no followers, and was unknown, these men knew they had to follow Jesus. They did so, leaving everything else behind.

Reflect today on the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Like the Apostles, do you make an immediate and complete response to Jesus every time He calls within every moment of your day? What “nets” in your life hold you back from following Him completely? Are there attachments, comforts, or distractions that hinder your response? Do you spend time with the Word of God and in prayer, listening for His proclamation to you to repent and believe in the Gospel? Just as He spoke to Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Jesus speaks to you today: “Come after me.” Do not hesitate to follow where He leads. Do not let this moment pass by—for He is calling you now.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/01/11/do-not-hesitate/

Mark 1:15-17 Read More »