"WOULD THAT WE MIGHT DO THE SAME."

In this short but powerful Gospel passage, we see the beginning of something extraordinary: Jesus calling his first disciples. Simon Peter and Andrew were fishing—just going about their everyday work—when Jesus walked by and simply said, “Come, follow me.” And “at once,” they left their nets behind. A few steps later, he called James and John, who were in the boat with their father, preparing the day’s nets—and again, “immediately,” they left the boat and their father and followed him.

There’s something remarkable, even confronting, in how quickly they responded. No questions asked. No delay. No hesitation. They didn’t check their calendars or finish the task at hand or see how things played out. They heard the call—and followed.

Matthew’s message to us is clear: when God calls, how do we respond? Are we willing to leave behind our own “nets”—the things that keep us safe, busy, or comfortable—in order to step into something greater? As a Catholic community, this passage reminds us that discipleship isn’t a slow shuffle; it’s a courageous leap. May we have the same courage, the same openness, and the same faith as those first disciples—to hear Christ’s call and follow, without delay.

I’m reminded of a moment from 2010, when I spent a fortnight in Florence, Italy. Each day I attended Mass—sometimes in Latin, sometimes in English, in small chapels tucked away in that stunning city. At one English Mass, the Gospel was this very passage. A Benedictine monk, fully robed, stepped forward to deliver the homily. And it was the most effective, efficient, memorable and resonant homily I have ever heard, and it was just seven simple words - no more, no less:

“Would that we might do the same.”

Mr Casimir Douglas

Thursday 3rd April, 2025