💖 HOMILY - JANUARY 24 💖

First Reading - Hebrews 8:6-13

Gospel - Mark 3:13-19

We all value loyalty. We want faithful friends and family members who stand by us through thick and thin. Disloyalty, on the other hand, causes pain and breaks trust. Today’s readings challenge us to grow in faithfulness, particularly in our relationship with Jesus, and to become loyal followers who live out His teachings with conviction.

The first reading from Hebrews presents a profound reflection on the Old and New Covenants. The author emphasizes that the Old Covenant, marked by sacrifices and rituals, has been surpassed by the New Covenant established by Christ. This transition doesn’t nullify God’s promises but highlights their fulfillment in Jesus. The Old Covenant faltered because of the people’s disloyalty, but Christ’s loyalty brought about the New Covenant—a lasting and unbreakable relationship between God and humanity. Jesus’ faithfulness, even to the point of death, is the foundation of this New Covenant and invites us to emulate His loyalty in our lives.

In the Gospel, we witness Jesus calling the Twelve Apostles. He chooses them to be with Him, to learn from Him, and to be sent out to preach the Good News. Their call is a profound privilege and responsibility, requiring closeness to Jesus and a commitment to His mission. However, the story also carries a warning. Among the twelve is Judas Iscariot, who, despite being in Jesus’ inner circle, ultimately betrays Him. Judas’ disloyalty reminds us of the danger of allowing worldly concerns and personal ambitions to overshadow our relationship with Christ.

Dear friends, these readings urge us to examine our own faithfulness as followers of Jesus. Baptism makes us His disciples, but our journey doesn’t end there. Like the apostles, we are called to be with Jesus—to spend time in prayer, listen to His Word, and allow ourselves to be taught by Him. Our loyalty is shown in how we prioritize Him in our lives and align our choices with His teachings.

But we must also guard against the traps of disloyalty. Judas’ betrayal didn’t happen in isolation; it was the result of his misplaced priorities and failure to embrace the transformative power of being with Jesus. In the same way, we risk disloyalty when we let worldly concerns—wealth, power, or comfort—take precedence over our commitment to Christ. When our focus shifts away from Him, we may find ourselves betraying His trust, even in small, seemingly insignificant ways.

Remaining loyal to Jesus requires intentionality. It means nurturing our relationship with Him daily through prayer, reflection on Scripture, and active participation in the sacraments. It also means living out our faith in practical ways—standing for truth, serving others, and resisting the temptations that pull us away from God.

Let us take inspiration from Christ’s loyalty, which never wavers. Let us strive to be faithful disciples, always seeking to learn from Him and to prioritize His mission over our own desires. At the same time, let us pray for the strength to overcome the distractions and challenges that threaten to lead us astray.

May God grant us the grace to remain steadfast in our faith and loyal to Jesus in all aspects of our lives. May we, like the apostles, be willing to be with Him, learn from Him, and share His message with the world. Let us cling to Christ, who is ever faithful, and trust that He will guide us on the path to eternal life.