Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, January 25, 2026

Paul tells the Corinthians, “There [should] be no divisions among you…you should be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.” Today we live in a world in which members of the same parish squabble with one another, members of the same Church squabble with one another, and Christians throughout the world squabble with one another. The sad truth is that we (like the Corinthians) are more focused on minor squabbles and points of personal pride than on the Word of God. Thousands of Christian denominations spend more time and energy fighting with each other than spreading the Word of God.

In the Gospel passage we are reminded that the first four disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus. They accepted his invitation without hesitation or question. Jesus spoke the Word to them in a very simple, direct way, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They were so moved by the Word that they put their own hopes and dreams on hold, they left their jobs, they left their families, they put their egos away, swallowed their pride, and humbled themselves before Jesus. They truly had no idea what to expect. They didn’t do it for money, power, glory, status or recognition. It was about Jesus, not about them. They said, “Yes!” to Jesus because His Word moved and transformed their hearts. They would never be the same again.

At each mass we are invited to hear and to follow God’s Word. However, we cannot be open to God’s Word, unless we put aside our pride, our egos, our greed, and our selfish priorities. While God does not call most of us to sell everything we have, give the money to the poor, and leave our homes to follow Him, He is calling us to make His Word a priority in our lives. He calls us to listen to His Word and to act in a manner that reflects that Word. He calls us to transform our lives so that His Word is an important part of all that we say and do. We must be prepared to respond with faith and determination. God is calling. God is asking. It is time for us to say “YES” and to live His Word in our lives each and every day.

Fr. Mike