Sunday 23rd January 2000

Theme: Jesus - calls us, “Repent - believe the Good News!”

A Reading from the Prophet Jonah 3:1 - 5, 10
Jonah, at first, an unwilling messenger, is sent by God to the great city of Nineveh to call its people to change their greedy and evil ways. The great and mighty, as well as the least in the city proclaim a fast, wear garments of sackcloth, as a sign that they are repentant and will change their ways for the better. God, we are told, “did not inflict on them the disaster which threatened.”

First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 7: 29 - 31
We get so wrapped up in our worldly cares, that Paul’s advice might just come to us in time. For the moment of our death may come upon us suddenly without warning. The Christian disciple is called to live in a new way because of faith. Belief is expected to change the way in which we live.

Gospel according to Mark 1: 14 - 20
“Repent and believe the Good News,” is the underlying theme of the readings this day. Here, it is Jesus himself who says, “the kingdom of God is close at hand.” Jesus, calls followers from their fishing, that they may become fishers throughout the known world. Taking with them the good news of liberation and personal freedom from the chains of sin and death.