Reflection for January 25 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 4:12-23

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.

He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

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Reflection:

Do we realize that Jesus is calling us to follow Him—right where we are, just as we are?

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon—who is called Peter—and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18–19).

At once, they left their nets and followed Him. As He went on from there, He saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him.

What was it about Jesus that moved these four ordinary fishermen to respond without delay? They could have asked for time. They could have said, “Let us think about it first.” They could have waited for a more convenient moment. But they did not. Something in Jesus’ voice, something in His presence, touched their hearts deeply enough for them to leave everything behind.

Perhaps they saw in Him not just a teacher, but a Savior. Perhaps they saw in Him not just a master, but a faithful friend—someone who would walk with them through their struggles, someone who would never abandon them, someone who would give their lives a new and deeper meaning.

To follow Jesus is never a bed of roses. The path of discipleship is often marked by trials, sacrifices, and moments of fear. As the saying goes, “To follow Jesus is always right, but it is not always easy.” The lives of the apostles, the martyrs, and the saints remind us that true discipleship always has a cost.

And yet, amid all these trials, we are never alone. We find great comfort in the abiding presence of Jesus—who walks beside us, who strengthens us when we are weak, who lifts us up when we fall, and who never grows tired of listening to our pains and carrying our burdens. No matter how heavy our crosses may seem, He remains faithful. He remains near. He remains our hope.

Even today, Jesus continues to walk into the ordinary shores of our lives. He looks at us with love. He calls us by name. He invites us to leave behind whatever keeps us from fully trusting Him and to follow Him with all our hearts.

Jesus is calling us—right now, in this very moment. The only question that remains is this: what nets are we still holding on to, and are we finally ready to leave them behind and follow Him without hesitation? – Marino J. Dasmarinas