“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”[1] AMEN.
Last week we read the chapter just before today’s Gospel, entitled the Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth, where while Jesus is preaching, the people of Jesus’ hometown want to “hurl him off the cliff.” Rev. Thomas asked the question, what would he have to say from the pulpit to get that kind of reaction from us? He suggested that preaching for 30 minutes might do it! And like Jesus - “But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.”
Today’s Gospel is where Jesus ended up and today happens to be one of those special times when all the lectionary readings speak with a single voice! Isaiah has the vision of God, and is struck by his own unworthiness, but nevertheless is sent to preach. Paul sees the risen Lord, realizes he is unfit to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church, but by God’s grace he works harder than any of the others. And in Luke, Simon Peter gets a glimpse of the power and knowledge of Christ, falls before him in the profound grip of his own sinfulness but even so, is called by Christ to become a fisher of men.[2]
In Isaiah - “It was in a land corrupted by greed, arrogance, drunkenness, injustice, oppression and murder that Isaiah was to preach to the people whose “speech and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence” (3:8).[3] You can image the rejection he probably got! Despite not feeling he was worthy he was called. And Isaiah preached.
You all remember the story of Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, right? Saul was not always a Christian! He was a Pharisee – one of those who claimed Mosaic authority for their interpretation of the Jewish Laws. He participated in the early persecution of the disciples of Jesus. He tried to destroy the early Jewish/Christian movement. We might not be here if he had succeeded! Saul was traveling on a road leading to Damascus when he had his encounter with our Lord. He actually was on a mission to capture Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem. The Risen Jesus appears to him with a great bright light. He was blind for three days and then his eyesight was restored by Ananias of Damascus, a disciple of Jesus in Damascus. Paul was baptized and given instructions in the way of the Lord. From then on Paul began to preach that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God. Many of our New Testament books are attributed to Paul. Despite not feeling he was worthy he was called.
Today’s Gospel reading is referred to as the calling of the disciples. We see that Simon Peter, James and John answer the call. They become followers of Jesus.
Here is a revised version that makes it a little clearer.
“Jesus was standing by the lake, and the people were crowding around him to hear what he had to say. He got into a boat that belonged to Simon and asked him to push out into the lake. Then he sat down in the boat and started teaching the people on shore. (Jesus was surrounded by a lot of people- preaching across the water would have made his voice acoustically clearer as water applies the sound. Rabbis sat to Teach).
When he was done talking, he said to Simon, “Let’s go out into the deeper water and see what we can catch with your nets.” Simon said, “Jesus, we fished there all night long and didn’t cat a thing. But, if you want, we will do that, and I’ll let down the nets.” (Why would these fishermen listen to someone who was a carpenter and not a fishermen tell them where and how to fish? They must have felt something). Simon was so surprised when they caught so many fish, they did not know what to do with them! Their nets began to break they were so full of fish.
Simon signaled the other boat to come help them. They filled up both boats so full of fish that they began to sink. (What happened to all the fish?) When Simon saw that, he fell on his knees in front of Jesus and said, “You are so holy, I don’t think I should even be near you. You know, Jesus, I am really sinful. I don’t think I can take all this holiness.” (Peter recognizes the Holy. Where do you encounter the Holy? And here also Simon Peter feels unworthy!)
But Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on I will show you how to catch people and bring them to God.” They brought their boats into shore, and then Simon and his partners, James and John, left everything behind and followed Jesus.”[4] (I wonder how Zebedee the father of James and John felt about the boys taking off like that?)
Here we have Simon Peter who does not feel that he is worthy even to be around Jesus. That is what all of these followers, Isaiah, Paul, Peter, James, and John have in common. And I can also tell you that is how a lot of people feel as well. I know I do. What about you? Where do you encounter the Holy? What if I told you that God is calling you?
We are called into relationship by the freely given grace of God. “This relationship is a freely given gift. First from God and then of each of us to the other.” God loves all of us and wants us in relationship with him that is personal, intimate, and faithful. We are invited to share in the divine life if we so choose.[5] AND it is our mission as the Church.
What is the mission of the church? On Page 855 in the Book of Common Prayer, “the mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” How does the Church pursue its mission? The Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love. Through whom does the Church carry out its mission? The church conducts its mission through the ministry of all its members.
What are you going to do? How is Jesus calling you to fulfill your mission?
This year during Lent consider your calling from God. It does not mean fasting or giving something up but rather for God’s sake give something to the world. Look what Jesus gave -everything.
I believe God is calling you and me to make a difference with our lives. We all may not be called to stand in the pulpit and preach or cross the oceans to a mission field, but we are called to make a difference in our own little corner of the world. How are you answering the call to make a difference?
My siblings - You are worthy. God is calling you to make a difference.
Let us pray: O Holy and Almighty one, you called members of our past generations and they heard and answered your call. We pray that our listening hearts will be open to your call in our lives. Give us ears to hear and the courage to follow wherever you lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.[6]
References
[1] American King James Version Psalm 19:14 [2] Preaching through the Christian Year. 98. [3] Barclay, William. Isaiah. 68. [4] Briggs, Lyn Zill. God’s Word, My Voice – A Lectionary for Children, 38 [5] Listening Hearts – Discerning call in Community. 1. [6] https://sermons.com/sermon/the-call-to-ministry/133701 accessed February 5, 2022, Adapted.
Bibliography
Attridge, Harold W., Wayne A. Meeks, Jouette M. Bassler, and Stephen L. Cook. The HarperCollins Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Including the ApocryphalDeuterocanonical Books. Fully rev a updat Student ed. San Francisco, Calif.: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006.
Bartlett, David Lyon, Barbara Brown Taylor, Michael Battle, Stephen L. Cook, Stephen Edmondson, et al. Feasting on the Word. 1st ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008; 2009.
Briggs, Lyn Zill. God’s Word, My voice. Church Publishing, NY. 2015.
Brown, Raymond Edward. An Introduction to the New Testament. Anchor Bible Reference Library. 1st ed. New York: Doubleday, 1997.
Longman, Tremper and David E. Garland. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Rev ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2005.
Markham, Ian, and Samantha Gottlich. Lectionary Levity – The Use of Humor in Preaching. Church Publishing, NY, 2017.