3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 25, 2026
Readings: Isaiah 8:23–9:3; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14; 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17; Matthew 4:12–23
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| Jesus calls his first disciples |
Whom do we follow today? The person of integrity, sincerity and of trust? We live in a trust-deficient world. Often, those whom we believe are trustworthy, people of integrity and sincerity, let us down with their hidden agendas, wicked deeds and unconcealed evil ideas. There is a scarcity of people whom we consider as generous, people of others and people of God. There are also people with no selfishness and don't accumulate wealth in this world for themselves. They are joyful and find meaning in doing good, letting themselves go so that others are happy. They are content in the company of others. Their benevolence is noticed by their life. In this context, we have beautiful readings on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Even without knowing Jesus, people trusted him when he called them. He invited them to join his company. The overflowing goodness and other-centredness marked their lives.
1. Jesus meets where people are
The Gospel of Matthew 4:12–23 opens in a quiet, unsettling moment: John the Baptist is arrested, and Jesus withdraws to Galilee. Jesus enters another world of preaching. Unlike John, Jesus is on the streets, valleys, mountains, seaside, etc., meeting with the ordinary. Jesus has no fixed place or fixed people. He moves into the periphery. He meets people where they are. It is not people who come in search of him at this moment, but he meets people in their workplaces. The surroundings of the Sea of Galilee become his place of work, in place of the river Jordan, which John the Baptist had chosen. Jesus' world is bigger, clearer, and nearer to people. That is how Jesus encounters four of his first disciples. All of them are working people, perhaps workaholics. Until Jesus calls them, they are busy mending their nets.
Jesus calls fishermen—Simon, Andrew, James, and John—while they are doing their daily work. All of them are brothers, good friends, coming from two families. Jesus does not need their CVs, credentials, references, or qualifications. Jesus needs only their readiness to leave their present job. There is no background check-up. Only what matters here is generosity to follow Jesus. This is exactly what they did as the scripture says, “Immediately they left their nets.” There is no time for preparation. The word delay is not in their dictionary.
2. Jesus' call to walk in different terrains
The various symbols that are evident in the scripture passage reveal something interesting. The nets symbolize security, identity, and routine. To leave them is not to despise work, but to trust in God's call, readiness to venture into unknown territories, and openness to be touched by the finger of God. Discipleship begins with attentiveness: hearing a voice that interrupts the familiar and daring to believe that following it will lead to fullness.
Jesus says, “I will make you fishers of people.” Jesus does not erase who they are; he transforms them. Their skills, patience, and resilience are redirected toward gathering life, not possessions. They will have to use their skills and talents for a new way of life and working. They will have to mingle with people. They will not be in the silence of the sea but among noisy places and people. They will not be smelling fish anymore, but will have to be smart to work with people on the land.
3. Jesus' touch heals them
Jesus walks through Galilee. He does a number of things: Teaching, proclaiming, healing, accompanying, and getting ready with a group of disciples who will be with him. He has an army of people, dedicated and focused and might not be as talented as they should be to work with people. He will have to train them not just for the good times, but also for the bad times, actually for the worst times. The work for the Kingdom of God starts from them. He needs strong pillars of support, strength and security.
Jesus is on the road, and those who follow him learn that faith is not standing still but walking with the Light. He does not filter anyone. Everyone is included in his itinerary. Everyone gets an appointment and not just a selected few. He teaches about faith, love and hope. His words are simple but demanding: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” He reorients to a new way of life. He tells them God is near, ready to touch, to hear, to follow. May we be touched by the same grace today.
Questions for self-reflection
- Do we have that healing touch of Jesus?
- How strong are we in our call to follow Jesus?
- What is that stops us from dreaming big for God in our daily lives?
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