Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection January 12, 2026
Monday – First Week in Ordinary Time
12th January 2026 (Monday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-8
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
Psalm 116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19 R.(17a)
R/. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make to you, O Lord or Alleluia
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. The kingdom of God is at hand repent and believe in the gospel
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Monday – First Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: The good and humble people may be regarded as miserable and insignificant in the sight of the world, but they will merit God’s special grace because of their humility
1. The perspective of God and the perspective of the world are always in contrast. People whom the world considers disadvantaged and weightless are blessed and privileged by God. This is what we see all through the history of God’s intervention and action in human salvation.
2. God always chose what was ordinary and small in the sight of the world but made it great (cf. 1 Corinthians 1. 29-31). Today’s readings testify to this way of God’s acting. He chose Hannah, the second wife of Elkanah. She was persistently despised and persecuted by his first wife because of her barrenness. In the gospel too, Jesus chooses Simon and Andrew, John and James to be his disciples and apostles. They were mere ordinary fishermen.
3. But, God raises them to heights. Hannah becomes the mother of Samuel, one of the greatest prophets. The mere fishermen become the greatest fishers of souls. God graces them and raises their dignity to new heights.
4. This is what happens when God’s grace touches upon the human ordinariness and misery: disgrace turns into grace; misery changes to glory; ordinary becomes extraordinary; insignificant becomes most significant; tears turn into joy.
5. All that is needed to obtain this mercy of God is openness to receive God’s call and surrender to depend on Him and follow His ways. Hannah prayed in tears and fasting. She surrendered her misery to God.
6. The first disciples accepted Jesus’ call and immediately left everything and followed him. They truly responded to the first proclamation of Jesus, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”. It was the right and appropriate time for them. They entered into the kingdom that was near in and through the person of Jesus. They changed their way of life and believed in Jesus.
My Practice: When we suffer, being despised and humiliated, let us not feel miserable or depressed. As long as we are right in the sight of God, we can still be strong and happy
