Gospel Reflection

Matthew 4:12-23 The beginning of the proclamation of the Good News
and the call of the first disciples. “... Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. . .He said to them, Come after me…”
 
- We heard in today’s Gospel that after Peter and Andrew were called they left their nets and followed Jesus and after James and John were called they immediately left their boat and their father and followed Jesus - the reason they were able to leave everything to follow Jesus is because they loved Jesus. If they did not love Jesus they would not have been able to leave everything to follow Jesus.
 
- Jesus called the apostles, “ Come after me.” It was a call firstly to spend time with Jesus. Jesus called them not because they were better than others but because he loved them. The apostles responded because they loved Jesus, and because they loved Jesus obedience and suffering would not even seem like obedience and suffering. “ Come after me.” They left everything and followed Jesus.
 
- This Gospel reminds us that every day we are called to build up God’s kingdom, not just our own.