Walking with Jesus: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time A

For Sunday, January 25, 2026 

Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4:12-23


Jesus is always with us, always cares about us and is always leading us to the place He has promised is our only and true home: Heaven. We get so distracted because of the lives and activities we live in our world. We get so involved, so busy and so distracted that we lose our focus. We turn inward upon ourselves, our families, loved ones, jobs, school, immediate- and long-range plans and vacations. We come once each week to spend time with the Lord in the Church we call home. The readings for this Sunday continue the theme of discipleship that we covered last week. Today we look at aspects of the question of that call. We understand that discipleship is a call from God — and this helps us realize that discipleship calls us from certain situations and calls us to others.

When we reflect on it, discipleship is not an obligation owed on us — we are called to it. Some people are very conscious of this call. People have asked me, “When did you receive your call to the priesthood?” It wasn’t at any particular moment but rather an attraction I experienced while attending many daily and weekend masses, and the priests in my parish were very human, caring, “regular guys.” They were happy in what they were doing, and I was attracted to that and began a long process of finding out more and more — and the more I discovered, the more I liked what I saw and heard. So I guess I could say it was a combination of the priests, the liturgy and the Lord that nourished and treasured my priestly vocation. Today Simon, Andrew, James and John all hear the voice of Jesus. For others the call to discipleship takes different twists and turns and is not as clear. Some might consider the suggestion of discipleship an intrusion into their other desired plans; others just drop what they’re doing and follow Jesus. But it really doesn’t matter — the call comes from God.

Now there is a difference — even a misunderstanding — about being called and leaving everything behind. The four men in the gospel leave their group fishing trade in order to follow Jesus. For others, the “leaving behind” doesn’t happen — and still isn’t required of all. Salvation is recognizing Jesus’ call to be people of love who follow His commands, and this is required of all followers. As disciples of Jesus we are called to leave behind certain ways of living — uncaring lives of pettiness, being totally involved with oneself and one’s own prejudices. We are constantly being called back from “me and my world” to God’s world. Why? He created us to be examples of living as Christ. This is what love is about.

The picture of the Corinthian church that Paul portrays to us is one of bickering, pettiness and small-mindedness that have escalated into rivalry and jealousy. Left unchecked, these attitudes have festered into serious divisions (the word was coined schismata). Paul addresses all of the people as brothers and sisters, indicating that he regards them as companions — members of the Christian community. He adds a very important phrase: “… in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” [1 Corinthians 1:10]. It is important to them and to us that we agree in matters of faith — unity, not schism; and oneness in mind and purpose. Christ is not divided — love is not iffy, depending on whom I want to give it — Jesus gave His love to all of us. So we are called to give it to those we love and those we have a hard time loving. Our love, following Jesus’ example, is our trademark.

Matthew describes Jesus’ ministry of love after John the Baptist is arrested. He isn’t picking up where John left off. He begins by calling some followers and asking them to come up with more followers. Jesus continues His ministry, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the Good News that God loves them — and us — every minute of our lives. He also cures those suffering from sickness, disease and infirmity. We are called to live lives of servanthood, being aware of those around us who are hurting, needing our love and companionship, or merely our plain, undivided attention. We are called to respect the struggles and commitment of others and so to be love-givers and caregivers.

So I reflect on:

• How are the themes of salvation (heaven) and the reign of God (living in love) connected to each other?
• Do some soul-searching, considering your role in conflict and harmony.

Sacred Space 2026 shares:

“Dark clouds have begun to gather over Jesus. His cousin and forerunner had been removed from the scene by the local authorities and His own activity was likely to put his early followers — such as Peter and John and their brothers — in jeopardy. Those early ones were very ordinary people who were called to an extraordinary mission. Such a calling might well involve them taking risks. It may well mean something of a similar risk for us.”