Jesus Calls His First DisciplesMatthew

Описание: Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Matthew 4:17–23
Fr. Dr. Patrick Merceline D’Souza
Introduction
Dear friends,
Today I would like to reflect on the Gospel passage Jesus Calls His First Disciples (Matthew 4:17–23).
At the heart of this Gospel is one powerful truth: God calls us—personally, unexpectedly, and lovingly.
Opening Story: A Call from God
Let me begin with a short and meaningful story.
One Saturday night, a pastor tried calling his wife, but she did not answer. Later, he discovered that the call had gone to another man.
That man shared something shocking. He was about to take his own life and had prayed, “God, if you are there, give me a sign now.”
At that very moment, his phone rang. The caller ID read: “Almighty God.”
Frightened, he did not answer—but that call saved his life.
The church from which the pastor had called was named Almighty God Tabernacle.
Message: God’s call can come at any moment, in any situation, and in unexpected ways.
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
1. The Call of Peter and Andrew
Matthew tells us that Jesus saw Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen, casting their nets.
Jesus said to them:
“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
And at once, they left their nets and followed him.
What does this teach us?
First: They were fishermen.
Jesus did not choose scholars or powerful people. He chose simple, ordinary men.
This teaches us that Jesus does not call us because we are worthy; He makes us worthy by calling us.
Our education, status, or possessions do not matter to Him.
Second: “I will make you fishers of people.”
To fish for people means to invite others to know Jesus, to help them accept Him as Lord and Savior, and to live for Him—even at great cost.
Third: “At once they left their nets.”
They responded immediately, without hesitation.
Leaving the nets means letting go of possessions, security, and even relationships when Jesus calls.
2. The Call of James and John
Jesus then called James and John, sons of Zebedee.
They were with their father, preparing nets.
When Jesus called them, they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him.
This teaches us the same three lessons:
Total trust in Jesus
Detachment from possessions and relationships
Immediate response to God’s call
Preparing to Be a Disciple
Before calling the disciples, Jesus preached:
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17)
Every disciple—priest, religious, or lay person—must begin with repentance.
We are called not only to repent ourselves but also to invite others to repentance.
The Mission of Every Disciple
Matthew describes Jesus’ mission:
“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease.” (Matthew 4:23)
This is also our mission:
To teach
To proclaim the Good News
To heal—through compassion, forgiveness, prayer, and service
This mission belongs to every disciple, not only to priests or religious.
Concluding Story: God Speaks in Unexpected Ways
Let me end with a short story.
A waitress walking home late at night sensed someone following her.
As fear gripped her, she heard a strange voice saying, “Eat the chicken!”
She had leftover chicken with her. As she opened the bag, the smell attracted two dogs who then walked with her safely home.
Eat the chicken?
It was a strange message—but it was exactly what she needed.
Conclusion
Dear friends,
God continues to call us—sometimes clearly, sometimes quietly, sometimes in unexpected ways.
The question is not whether God calls us, but how we respond.
May we, like the first disciples:
Trust Jesus completely
Leave our “nets”
Follow Him immediately