Pope's Intentions
Universal: Peace -- That those from diverse religious traditions and all people of good will may work together for peace.
Evangelization: Consecrated life -- That in this year dedicated to consecrated life, religious men and women may rediscover the joy of following Christ and strive to serve the poor with zeal.
Monday of the First week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory the Great (c.540-604), Pope, Doctor of the Church
Homilies on the Gospel, no.5 (trans. ©Cistercian publications, Inc., 1990)
"Then they abandoned their nets and followed him"
Perhaps someone will say…: “What, and how much did they give up… these two fisherman who had almost nothing?”… Someone who has abandoned everything, no matter how little it is, has left much behind. Surely we hold on to what we have with love, and what we do not have we long for and seek to possess? Peter and Andrew gave up much when along with their possessions they renounced even their craving to possess. As much is given up by those following them, then, as those not following them can crave…
No one should say to himself, even when he regards others who have left a great deal behind: “I want to imitate those who despise this world, but I have nothing to leave behind.” You leave a great deal behind, my friends, if you renounce your desires. Our external possessions, no matter how small, are enough for the Lord: he weighs the heart and not the substance, and does not measure the amount we sacrifice to him but the effort with which we bring it.
If we think only about the outward substance, we see that our holy traders purchased the everlasting life of angels when they gave up their nets and boat! The kingdom of God has no assessment value put on it, but it is worth everything you have.