Vincentian Spirituality
Gospel Reading
January 25, 2026
The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Matthew 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. …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 mending 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.
Vincentian Reflection
Every encounter with Jesus provokes a response; this gospel shows a response of discipleship that is quick and decisive. Our own call to discipleship comes at our baptism, but unlike the disciples in the gospel our response isn’t usually so quick and decisive. We spend our whole life trying to see the great Light that is the Savior of the world. But we practice the following of Jesus in the simple, everyday things that come our way: the friend who needs a listening ear, the elderly parent who needs a comforting phone call, the sick child who interrupts our sleep. In all of these instances do we hear Jesus’ refrain: repent? Turn from ourselves toward those in need. Turn from darkness to light. (Living Liturgy, p.50)
Vincentian Meditation
“Lord Jesus, teach me by your example. Make me, through the vigor of my efforts, set the world on fire. I want to give myself to you, body and soul, heart and mind and spirit so that I may always do what gladdens you. In your mercy, grant me the grace to have you continue in me and through me your saving work.” -St. Vincent de Paul (McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.67)
Consider
In what simple, everyday things have you heard: turn from yourself and toward those in need?
Prayer
For the grace to “repent,” turning from ourselves toward those in need,
-Merciful God, hear us!
For the grace to respond to the call of discipleship, quickly and decisively,
-Merciful God, hear us!
For the grace of healing to all who are ill and alone,
-Merciful God, hear us!
Amen