Third Sunday after the Epiphany - January 25, 2026

Summary

Mother Suzanne reflects on Matthew 4 and how Jesus called ordinary fishermen to follow Him immediately, leaving everything behind to become "fishers of people." She emphasizes that God calls everyone—not just those in ordained ministry—to do extraordinary things through ordinary relationships and daily work, encouraging listeners to pay attention to how God might be calling them through scripture, people, and creation.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
 on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

the people who sat in darkness 
 have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death 
 light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 

Artwork:  Christ Calling the Apostles James and John by Edward Armitage (1817-1896)

Transcript

Epiphany 3 Year A

Matthew 4

The Lord is our light and salvation; whom shall we fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our lives; of whom shall we be afraid? (Psalm 27:1). God needs us where we are to be truth and light so that justice might roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).

       Each of the gospels are unique In how the ministry of Jesus begins…for Matthew….it’s when one line is spoken…”repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”….he then calls his disciples, “follow me”….and they drop everything…and followed  and the work begins.  He went all over Galilee “proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and sickness among the people.”

       What makes me curious about this is when Jesus calls these men, each of them leave immediately…no questions or needing to know what the plan would be…

        They left their livelihood…their vocation….their security…their ideas and experiences of life as they knew it…their family…their father…all of was set down.  I’d venture to say not forgotten about or tossed aside lightly, these men were clearly moved in their spirit to move forward…with as much certainty as they could muster that they were doing what was right... 

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       I think many call stories begin this way…and I’m not only talking about calls to the ordained ministry…calls come to everyone…at different times in life…at different seasons in life….and I would say a strong commonalty of all calls is a sense of moving forward with the call…of being led somewhere new or to do something that you haven’t done…and here in lies our own humanity and the choices we have in life to make…answer or ignore the call…

       Perhaps you have an overwhelming feeling of “rightness” when you’re doing something…you say to yourself…maybe this is the reason I was born…or perhaps you find yourself always ending up someplace….or when you’re in a book store….always going to a certain section because it brings delight…or finding joy and satisfaction in doing something that you really can’t explain….

       I will say, at least what I’ve discovered in my own life, is that often times calls come in stages…taking one step at a time…moving forward…even if it’s slow…going through a door that you might never would’ve….engaging in a conversation that connects you to someone new who can help…paying attention to themes and rhythms in your life that keep appearing…being alert and ready…and mostly, having a spirit of openness and curiosity…

       For instance a few weeks ago I shared how the red bird is symbol for my mother who passed away many years ago…over the years, I have learned to trust when red birds appear in my life.  With all thing’s heaven sent, there is an immediate surprise, then delight…and then overwhelming comfort.  

       Another time, when I was discerning whether or not I should come to Grace right after seminary, I was talking with my brother, Curt—I  was sharing my confusion about what I should do…

       When I looked up, a red bird flew so close to me I thought it would hit me….God sent the answer to me by way of the red bird…a message from heaven…and from my mom that I needed to accept this call that God was offering to me….and so I did…

       I think calls are never meant to discern or understand alone…I believe it takes many voices to remind and point those things out that we are gifted at doing…when becoming a priest, discernment of a call always begins in the local church with trusted voices in the mix to see if there is something worth pursuing…

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       What’s so significant to our gospel story this morning is seeing that calls can come to the most unlikely folks in the most unlikely times…So important is recognizing in the daily and ordinary work we do…Jesus calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things…again…by going about our daily work…and seeing it as holy…as it is the work God has given you to do…

       Jesus doesn’t say he’s going to make these brothers teachers or rabbi’s—He says, come follow me and you will do the same thing you have done for generations: fishing.  Except now you will be fishers of people.  Jesus speaks to them in a language the will understand gives them a job they can do.  They certainly know how to fish…( Jennifer Moland-Kovash, Trinity)

       By being in relationship with those with whom you work…not buying your time or seeing those around you as annoyances or ways to get what you want…instead, with deliberation to see those around you as Jesus might…having the eyes of Jesus…the eyes of compassion and empathy.  

       Sometimes that call — to be in relationship with others — will take us far from home, but for most of us, it will take shape in and among the people right around us. But this is one thing I know for sure:   it will involve people — not simply a mission or a ministry or a movement, but actual, flesh-and-blood people…loving those we don’t really like…choosing a harder way in order to maintain a relationship, knowing that connection and vulnerability for most, isn’t easy….but is sustaining…

       It seems as though Jesus knew all of this…when he called his disciples…he was in relationship with them…maintained relationship with them…even when they messed up royally…when they didn’t understand…when they questioned…and fought amongst themselves…vied for position to be the greatest…

because there was a relationship…there was grace…

Believe me when I say this…God is calling you to something…He’s calling you to something that he has in mind that only you can do…if you’ve found it….Bravo…thank him…

       If not, ask God to show you…surround yourself with wise people…pay attention to how God speaks to you…is it through scripture, people, creation…don’t just move about the world without purpose…pay attention and know that you are good…loved and worthy of receiving a call from God…and strong enough to answer…

       A fellow preacher put it so plainly and simply that I had to borrow:  “Jesus called ordinary people right in the middle of their ordinary lives to be in relationship with the ordinary people all around them and through that did extraordinary things … and he still does. (David Lose, 2023, Working Preacher)