3rd Sunday A 25 January 2026 Come follow me. (Mt 4,19-20). How ordinary it must have looked. Just two men by the sea, and then another man comes, and all three walk off. Nothing so unusual about that?
Yet, it is an historic moment that changes the world, being the beginning of the Church, and all that follows from that.
God's actions are sometimes dramatic, like the Transfiguration, the parting of the Red Sea, the raising of Lazarus.
Sometimes quiet and to the bodily eyes nothing out of the ordinary.
Like the call of the apostles, or the call of Samuel (who gives us the best response).
The ordinary interventions by God remind us how close He is, and how easily He can reach us. We have to say, like Samuel, speak Lord your servant is listening (1 Sam 3,9). Or (like Mary) Be it done unto me according to your word.
One can be ready for such interventions without knowing where they will come from.
There is potential in all of us to respond to God. After all, He created us and formed us in His image, so we can resonate with Him.
He can bring out the best in us, and that is what He is seeking to do.
If God calls me I will go. We do not respond to every invitation nor listen to every ‘messiah’, but this one is different. He speaks with authority (Lk 4,32) and He does actions to demonstrate, such as His many miracles.
We follow Him either from an initial recognition, that here is something special; or from the accumulation of experiences. Peter did both. He left his nets and then also said, somewhat later, to whom shall we go, Lord. You have the words of eternal life. (Jn 6,68).
We think of young people being called, and that makes sense as they have years to give to the Lord’s service, but it is not age-restricted. An older person can be called too, such as Simeon and Anna, Abraham - patient waiting, keeping the hope alive (Lk 2,25-38)
The spirit is willing, and also young. We can respond to God's call as though it were always today.
Each person has the potential to be holy, Christ-like, and willing to ‘go’ with Him.
We pray for each other to find the right response.
Why would Jesus make it less easy to see the way forward? To bring out in us more virtues such as humility, patience, trust.. He wants an ongoing partnership not just an occasional checking-in.
We can learn from our own mistakes and those of others, not to do what they did eg the rich young man, (Mt 19,16-22) or Judas.
God needs people who will not resist eg St Joseph.
Thy will be done. He knows what He wants from each person. He can communicate with each one in a unique way.
So we should not be too quick to say that nothing is happening, that God does not hear our prayers. It is just that we do not see most things.
God can surprise us, and probably enjoys doing that. We, meanwhile are learning the ways of the Lord. We will be there when needed.
To Come follow Me. we say Amen, or similar.
Any delay of time on God's answers to our prayer can be understood as an exercise in hope. We are charged with hope, not giving in to defeat.
There is potential in all of us, and in all situations. God can take any time or place to show His hand.
The people have seen a great light.
Back at the lakeside, it begins with one or two…
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