Following God’s Call
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 4:12-23 – When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus tells His new disciples, “come after me.” They are not clearly shown where they are going, but, more importantly they see with Whom they are going. There is a hugely important principle shown here: any call from God is always, always, a call to Himself.
We usually make our decisions based on the results that they bring us—will the results of this decision make us more or less comfortable, financially stable, respected, pleased, tired, healthy, etc. And we should consider these things when making decisions. However, when it is God asking something of us, we must leave all these considerations totally behind, and follow His will. No matter how big the situation (job change, moving, confessing a hard sin) or how small the situation (cutting out busywork, praying in public, folding laundry), if God is calling us to it, we need to do exactly that—no “ifs, ands, or buts” about it. Remember, God’s calls (big or small) always are calls to Himself. We aren’t in charge of our results as much as we are of our obedience. In prayer let’s consider: what is God asking of each of us right now?
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
