January 22, 2008

Looking Ahead to January 27, 2007 -- 3rd Sunday After Epiphany

The Scripture Readings this week are:
  • From the Jewish Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-4
  • Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (VU p. 754)
  • From the Letters of the Church: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
  • From the Gospel: Matthew 4:21-23

THe Hymns this week are:

  • 402 We Are One
  • 602 Blest Be the Tie that Binds
  • 562 Jesus Calls Us
  • 567 Will You Come and Follow Me?

The Sermon title is Moths to a Flame

Early Thoughts: What would make grown men suddenly jump up and leave everything behind?

There is something amazing about the stories of Jesus calling those early disciples. THese poor fishermen suddenly leave their nets and boats by the lakeshore and follow this strange man they have never met.

THe only possible answer to "why?" is that therer is something compelling about Jesus and the summons he gives. THere is something that draws people to JEsus, not just here at the beginning but throughout his life and throughout the Christian story.

Each of us knows what it is that draws us to Jesus. ANd it isn't the same for everyone. For the 4 fishers it seems there must have been a sense of charisma in this man. Did they know that day by the lakeshore that they would one day proclaim him as the MEssiah, the Chosen One of GOd? Did they know that later he would be called God-Made-Flesh? OR did they just know that they needed to be with him?

OF course we can only guess what Peter and his friends were thinking or feeling. BUt we also have to be ready to ask ourselves what draws us. WE have to be ready to share that feeling of being drawn with others, to tell our stories of leaving behind to join the Master.

Last week we heard about people who saw Jesus and then went out saying "come and see". Are we ready to tell our stories?
--Gord

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