First Reading

Beginning of the first book of Samuel 

1 Samuel 1:1-8

There was a man in Ramah, from the tribe of Ephraim, named Elkanah, who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Every year Elkanah went up from his city to the sanctuary at Shiloh to worship the Lord of hosts and offer him sacrifices. There lived the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests of the Lord.

When he offered his sacrifice, Elkanah gave portions to Peninnah and to each of her sons; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her best, even though the Lord had not granted her children. Her rival Peninnah would taunt her relentlessly because of her sterility, and this went on year after year when they went up to the house of the Lord. Peninnah would humiliate and torment her, and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.

One day Elkanah said to her: “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why won’t you eat? Why are you so sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark 

Mark 1:14-20

After John the Baptist had been arrested, 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, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.