Homily Starters, Fr. Tony’s Homily
Homily Starters, Fr. Tony’s Homily
January 25, 2026
January 25, 2026
3rd Sunday of Year A
- ANECDOTES
- EXEGESIS
- LIFE MESSAGES
HOMILY STARTERS
3rd Sunday of Year A
Clint Eastwood in 1959
RAWHIDE (0:47 – Rowdy, from Rawhide gives advice to a young lame man who wanted to become a drover.
“O.K. boys, head ‘em up, and move ‘em out“
Clint Eastwood is an American film icon. Who can forget Dirty Harry and the huge 45 caliber Magnum he carried, more a cannon than a pistol, or the sneering invitation, “Make my day!”? But long before he was Dirty Harry, Eastwood was Rowdy Yates on the TV show Rawhide. — There is an important hand gesture I remember from that boyhood drama. On horseback, the trail boss would lift his hand, index finger up, make a rapid circling motion in the air, then point ahead with these words, “O.K. boys, head ‘em up, and move ‘em out.” It was a call to a long, tough, trail ride with the promise of adventure along the way and a payout at the end. —
That is the gesture I see Jesus making in these call stories. “Simon, Andrew, James, John, head ‘em up, and move ‘em out.’ Follow me, and I will help you corral people for God,” or, in the case of their work, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
SOURCE: Rev. Phil Thrailkill
3rd Sunday of Year A
Wake-up Call
LAKESHORE ENTERTAINMENT (2:26)
Encouragement
Those of you who saw the remarkable film Amazing Grace remember the story of William Wilberforce, a British politician who, after his conversion to Christianity, became England’s greatest anti-slavery advocate. It was through his tireless efforts that England eventually outlawed slavery, paving the way for the end of the slave-trade in the Western world. But William Wilberforce almost missed his calling. After his conversion, Wilberforce considered leaving politics for the ministry. He wasn’t sure how a Christian could live out his Faith in “the world.” Fortunately, Wilberforce turned to an Anglican clergyman, John Newton, for guidance. Newton was a former slave trader who had renounced the trade and entered the ministry, writing the the much-loved hymn, “Amazing Grace” as as a result of his conversion. Newton convinced Wilberforce that God had called him to remain in politics to exert a Christian influence there.
It was John Newton who gave William Wilberforce the wake-up call that kept him championing the cause of freedom for Britain’s slaves. Four men, fishermen by trade, were toiling at the nets beside the Sea of Galilee when they received a wake-up call from Jesus. And their whole world was turned upside down.
SOURCE: Fr. Tony’s Homilies
3rd Sunday of Year A
Who Spilled the Beans?
Gold Prospectors
A group of prospectors set out from Bannock, Montana, in search of gold. For days together they had to endure many hardships and cope with severe weather changes, so that some of them, unable to cope, actually perished. Undeterred, the rest persisted until one day they ran into a gang of ruthless Indians, who seized their horses and belongings and left them with a few limping ponies. Releasing them, the Red Indians warned them never to return for, the next time, their lives would be at risk. The crestfallen group began their return journey very disappointed. At night they decided to stop by a stream and camp. One of the men entered the stream and noticed something unusual about one stone. So he lifted it up and cracked it open and realized that they had struck gold right there. And so his companions joined and they made a reasonable haul. The next day they discovered even more and were absolutely ecstatic. The following day they returned to Bannock, in order to bring all the equipment and horses necessary to collect their treasure. And they vowed that they would not tell anyone of their extraordinary discovery. When they decided to set out, they found themselves surrounded by 300 equally excited gold prospectors. Somebody seemed to have spilled the beans!
The fact of the matter is that no one had let out their secret. But the others saw their ecstatic joy on their faces and sensed there certainly was a very good reason. So, they decided to join, fully assured that soon they too would be as jubilantly happy as the others. The successful prospectors’ beaming faces had literally betrayed their secret! — Do our faces reveal that we have found the greatest treasure: Jesus Christ?
SOURCE: James Valladares in Your Words, O Lord, Are Spirit, and They Are Life; quoted by Fr. Botelho
3rd Sunday of Year A
Sr. Cecilia Maria
ROSARY AND DAILYL FAITH (14:57) – She faced death with a smile… and inspired thousands with her faith and joy. This is the incredible true story of Sister Cecilia María, an Argentine Carmelite nun whose faith, joy, and serenity in the face of terminal illness became a global testimony of hope.
FIRST READING
3rd Sunday of Year A
Isaiah’s prophecy addresses the northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, who were the first to suffer under Assyrian conquest and subsequent pagan influence. Isaiah promised a “great light” would dispel their gloom and bring joy. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, who began his ministry in this very region of Galilee. As the true “light,” Jesus brought hope, healing, and a call to “Repent” and “Follow Me,” liberating people from the darkness of sin.
SECOND READING
3rd Sunday of Year A
The Christian community in the wild city of Corinth was fractured by immature rivalries, with factions claiming allegiance to different teachers like Paul or Apollos. Paul urged them to rise above these divisions, arguing that such quarrels proved they were not living in the light of Christ, who cannot be divided. To bear a united witness to the Lord,
GOSPEL
3rd Sunday of Year A
The calling of the first Apostles, as narrated by Matthew, emphasizes an immediate and decisive response to Jesus’ invitation. Unlike other Gospels, Matthew portrays Jesus calling two pairs of fishermen brothers—Simon and Andrew, and James and John—without prior acquaintance or explanation of the mission. Jesus simply instructs them to “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Their response is immediate; they leave their nets, boats, and even their family to follow Him.
This action highlights a significant departure from the tradition where students sought out their rabbis; here, Jesus, the Rabbi, initiates the call, choosing humble, “less-than-ideal” candidates. Fishermen were considered low in social rank, yet Jesus chose them, valuing their availability and willingness to give themselves over their ability or social status. Jesus offered them not a course of study, but a way of life, an opportunity to observe Him daily. Their response of leaving everything behind demonstrated total trust.
The metaphor of “fishers of men” carried a dual meaning in the ancient world: it symbolized bringing people to judgment and leading them from ignorance to wisdom through teaching. Both imply a radical change and a new way of life. For Christians, being “caught” in the net of God’s love means dying to self and being raised to a new life under God’s control within the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as Jesus is the “Light,” His purpose in choosing followers is for them to become the “light of the world,” a personal witness spreading the Good News.
Infographics were created using Google Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro. Inspiration take from Fr. Tony’s Homilies; Non-profits may freely use this infographic in their publications and/or ministry. Please give credit or a shout out to TheWordThisWeek.NET.