Responding to the reading

Jesus begins his ministry not in a palace or a temple, but in a fishing village on the edge of empire. Matthew tells us that Jesus, upon hearing of John the Baptist’s arrest, withdraws to

Galilee, to the region of “Zebulun and Naphtali”: a place historically marked by oppression and obscurity. But Matthew sees something more: he sees this move as the fulfilment of Isaiah’s promise, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.”

From the beginning, Jesus' ministry is rooted not in power or prestige, but in places that hurt, and people who are overlooked. And it’s there, on the shore, that he calls his first disciples.

He sees Simon and Andrew casting nets, and he says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” He sees James and John, mending theirs. He calls them too. And all four leave their nets immediately and follow.

No application process. No prerequisites. Just a call and a response. For those of us navigating discipleship in a complex, modern world, this passage reminds us of some core truths:

Discipleship begins where you are. Jesus doesn't wait for the disciples to become theologians or moral heroes. He meets them at work, in the midst of their ordinary lives. The invitation to follow isn’t about having it all together—it’s about being willing to walk a new path.

The call is communal. Jesus doesn't just call individuals, he forms a community. Discipleship is not a solo journey. It’s something we do together, learning, stumbling, supporting, forgiving, growing.

The call will change your priorities. The disciples leave their nets, not necessarily because fishing is bad, but because something deeper is pulling them forward. The life of faith often means loosening our grip on what’s familiar in order to make space for what is liberating.

And notice: Jesus doesn’t say what the journey will look like. He doesn’t promise comfort

or clarity. What he offers is relationship: “Follow me.”  For open-minded Christians who value inclusion, justice, and spiritual curiosity, this passage challenges us to consider:

• Where am I being called to “drop my nets”?

• What comfortable patterns or roles might I be asked to leave behind?

• How is Jesus still calling me toward deeper healing, justice, and love?

Discipleship, at its core, is not about certainty, it’s about courage. It’s about hearing the call

and stepping out anyway, trusting that the light we’ve seen is worth following. May we hear Christ’s call again today, and may we have the heart to respond with our lives.

Here’s a beautiful version of this lovely hymn with interesting background pictures.

Hymn : Lord you have come to the sea-shore

Prayers

God of the past and of the future, we bring to you in prayer those people and places on our hearts today:

We pray for fishermen today as facing dangerous seas and waters, and declining fish stocks,  they struggle to make a living to bring food to our tables.  

We pray for all who are called to serve you and proclaim you through ministry. We pray for ministers and missionaries, and all who are church members and followers. May they and we be faithful to your example and call.  

We pray for those who, called by you, follow your example through working with people, teaching in schools and nurseries, or by volunteering at Charity shops, Food-banks, or at Refugee welcome centres, or by doing any job in hospital or home which involves caring for others.    

We pray for those who follow Jesus today, by caring  for an ageing parent, or a special needs child, or someone  with mental health problems. It is a demanding calling. Strengthen them.  

We give thanks for all those who follow you by being generous with their wealth and time, and those who follow you by listening to others’ cries, responding immediately with encouragement and care.  

We pray for those who hear your call, but can no longer be fully active yet who are able to  follow you by responding to the care they receive from others with grace, appreciation and patience. May all their prayers be heard.  May your kindness and compassion fill our hearts and the way we live

Blessing:

May God who calls us, give us the gifts of the Spirit until the whole world and everything in it, great and small, knows God and follows Jesus. And may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ, and Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you, today and always.

Amen.

Hymn : Hear the call of the kingdom 

A very jazzy version from Sale Salvation Army