Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Today’s Gospel from Matthew describes for us the calling of the first of the disciples: two sets of brothers: Simon (Peter) and Andrew; and James and John. We hear of the immediate response they gave to His invitation: “Come, follow me.”
The Call to Discipleship
When Jesus called the fishermen, He didn’t just ask them to change their occupation, He invited them into a radical new way of being, one they could scarcely imagine. He invited them to a shared purpose, a collective mission: called to be “fishers of men” meant they were no longer working for individual or familial gain alone.
True discipleship requires a letting go. For the first disciples, it was their nets and boats. I was moved as I listened to the homily, particularly about how we’re also called to discipleship. But for us, the idea of letting go can be of our ego, our need for control, or our personal prejudices that prevent us from being truly unified with others in Christ.
The Challenge of Unity in Today’s World
In a modern context, the “light” Jesus brought often feels obscured by a world that thrives on division, and the need to have our opinions heard and validated. The very idea of us being a unified body of disciples is challenging, for many reasons:
- The echo chamber of social media and endless debates often encourage us to align ourselves into a way that can feel almost tribal. We’re almost expected to view others with suspicion, rather than as a brother or sister in need of the same grace we hope to receive.
- Individualism is the core of so many that we absorb, in so many ways we don’t even notice. Our culture prizes self-reliance and the notion of self as God: “I get to choose everything about my life”. The Gospel, however, calls for a selflessness that can feel counter-cultural and yes, downright uncomfortable.
- The glorification of busy. The disciples left their nets to follow Jesus immediately, but today, we’re often too “busy” with the digital distractions and our willful ensnarement in material nets to hear the quiet call to serve.
Bringing the Message into Everyday Life
While the challenges are real, the invitation to be a light in the world is more relevant than ever. So how can we live today’s Gospel?
Practice kindness. Just as the disciples responded without delay, look for small, immediate ways to serve. Don’t overthink a generous impulse: send that text of encouragement or offer that help, don’t wait until you talk yourself out of it or the thought has passed you by.
Seek common ground. In divisive conversations, be the person who listens. Unity doesn’t mean we agree on everything, but it does mean that we prioritise our shared humanity over our differences.
Proclaim the good news through action. We may not realise it, but we all have the ability to bring healing to those around us. We can bring peace to a tense workplace or hope to a grieving friend. We can bring comfort to our loved ones.
Jesus didn’t call the equipped; He equipped the called.
He took ordinary fishermen and turned their talents toward a higher purpose. In today’s Gospel, he asks us to take our everyday lives, our jobs, our hobbies, even our struggles – and use them as a bridge to connect with others, so that in doing this, we may truly be His disciples.
The Sojourner Diaries 
Leave a comment