Illustration: “The Sermon on the Mount” by Carl Bloch (1834–1890)
Pope Leo’s Angelus Reflection – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. Peter’s Square – Sunday, 25 January 2026
Gospel Reading: (Matthew :12-22)
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and follows ed him.
Pope Leo’s Angelus Reflection<
Brothers and sisters, After being baptized, Jesus began preaching and called the first disciples
Simon – also known as Peter –, Andrew, James and John.
Looking closely at today’s Gospel, we can ask ourselves two questions about this scene.
One is about when Jesus began his mission, and the other is about where he chose to preach and call the apostles.
First, when does it start? Where does it start?First, the evangelist tells us that Jesus began preaching “when he heard that John had been arrested.”
This does not seem to be the best time: the Baptist has just been arrested, so the leaders of the people are unwilling to accept the Messiah’s message.
It would seem prudent to wait, but Jesus begins to bring the light of the good news precisely in this dark situation: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 17).
In our personal and ecclesial lives, we sometimes think that it is not the right time to proclaim the Gospel, make a decision, or change a situation because of inner resistance or unfavorable circumstances.
However, the risk is that we remain stuck in indecision or become prisoners of excessive prudence, while the Gospel asks us to take a risk and trust.
God is at work in every age, and every moment is good for the Lord, even when we feel unready or the situation seems unfavorable.
The Gospel account also shows us where Jesus began his public mission:
He “left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum” (v. 13).
However, he remains in Galilee, a territory inhabited mainly by pagans, which because of trade is also a land of passage and encounters; we could say a multicultural territory crossed by people with different religious backgrounds and affiliations.
In this way, the Gospel tells us that the Messiah comes from Israel, but goes beyond the borders of his own land to proclaim the God who makes himself close to all, who excludes no one, who did not come only for those who are pure but, on the contrary, mixes himself in situations and in human relationships.
We Christians too, therefore, must overcome the temptation to close ourselves off: the Gospel must in fact be proclaimed and lived in every circumstance and in every environment, so that it may be a leaven of fraternity and peace among individuals, between cultures, religions and peoples.
Brothers and sisters, like the first disciples, we are called to accept the Lord’s invitation with joy, knowing that he is present in every moment of our lives and that his love permeates every aspect of our existence.
Let us pray to the Virgin Mary, asking her to give us this inner trust and to accompany us on our journey.
Upon hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus returned to Galilee.
Leaving Nazareth, he settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
In this way, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations!’
The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light.
On those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
From that moment on, Jesus began preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”
