Matthew 4:12-23
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 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.” 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18 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. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 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. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 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.
"Follow me... and immediately they followed Him."
Jesus called four disciples who formed a rich fishing team, possessed more than one boat, and employed many workers. Upon His call, Simon, Andrew, James and John immediately left everything and followed Him (Matthew 4:20-22).
In another event, Jesus met a rich man, whom He loved, and who wanted to follow Jesus, but when Jesus asked him to leave everything, "he went away sad because he had great wealth" (Matthew 19:21-22).
Every choice in our life contains a sacrifice. The fishing team sacrificed their possessions to gain Jesus' discipleship. The rich man sacrificed following Jesus and remained attached to his earthly possessions.
Jesus called other disciples who were not as rich as those four initial disciples, forming a team that worked for the Kingdom.
Responding to Jesus’ call doesn't depend upon how rich or poor we are, but rather on our soul and aim in life. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
In these times when the world suffers from atheism, materialism and excess pleasures, where is your treasure? What does it mean for you to sacrifice something for a major and important vision?
St. Matthew repeats the word "immediately" being called by Christ. They responded without delay or hesitation. Are we ready to do the same when we are called to meet Christ in the person of our neighbor, or when we are called to remain faithful to our commitment of love and witness to Jesus' presence?
Who is this person who invites us to follow Him? It all depends upon who we consider Him to be and what we expect from Him.
Today everyone is called by Jesus to follow Him. Are we ready to respond to His call?
Are we ready to leave anything we have to join His discipleship?
The disciples put all their trust in Jesus. They followed even without knowing Him. Are we who know Him and believe that He is the Savior and Son of God willing to follow Him immediately and permanently?
May we follow Him as Peter, Andrew, James and John did - with joy and strong faith!