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"CAN YOU HEAR IT?" |
| Today's readings have two major themes: God's Call and Unity. We have all received God's
call, not only to do His will on earth, but to live in unity with our neighbors and our church family The Gospel begins with an ending and moves immediately into a new beginning. John the Baptist has been arrested, thus ending his vibrant voice in the wilderness. Upon hearing of John's arrest, Jesus moves from Nazareth to Capernaum. There are some whom believe that Jesus made that move for one or a combination of three reasons. First, he was getting away from intense opposition and apathy in Nazareth. Second, he would have an impact on a greater number of people because Capernaum was a far busier city than Nazareth. The third, he would be able to utilize extra resources and support for his ministry. As Jesus walked along the shores of Lake Galilee calling Peter, Andrew, James and John to discipleship, I am amazed by the ease with which they accepted this call. Although the brothers had heard of Jesus, they did not have a personal relationship with him. How many of us would have accepted that call under those circumstances. How many of us accept this call today? It is so much safer dwelling in the shadows, staying out of the light, and not bringing attention to ourselves. However, sitting in darkness is an allusion not only to behavior, but also to the spirituality of the heart. Like it or not, we have all been called to do God's work and will. At the time of one's baptism a covenant is made between God and the one being baptized. This relationship is meant to continue and grow throughout life. This actually can be a terrifying thought. God wants us to do more, much more, than to sit through Sunday worship. We have been called to do service and to help with the development of the church through prayers, presence, and gifts. We have been called to revere justice, to be merciful, and to walk humbly with God. Just like those four fishermen, we have been called-called to follow Christ every day of our lives. This takes courage, the same courage that Peter, Andrew, James, and John had. Speaking first hand, I can attest to the fact that so many of us miss God's call. This can be the result of not listening for his voice or by deliberately running away from it. We live in a world of noise, stress, speed, and demands; and then we ask how we could possibly miss God's Call. Stop, just stop for a few minutes, listen, pick up the Bible and a spiritually book; then open them and read. After all, it is difficult for God to be heard over the vacuum cleaner, the dishwasher, or rush hour traffic. However, when that call is heard, we must follow God. After all, He will only lead us in the direction that he knows is right for us. Just as Jesus is calling us, he is also making the same proclamation that Isaiah and John the Baptist made: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. " What exactly does that mean? It means turning back to the Ten Commandments. How many can we name? How many of us can honestly say that we have no other gods before the only God? How much do we value money, things, status, even family? Are any of these before God? When we are able to put this world behind the "Kingdom of Heaven," we will feel the presence of Christ and we will begin to move from darkness into light. With the light comes healing and a release from the bonds of death. Yet when we have this new brightness in our spirit, it does not remove us into an extraordinary world. No, it sends us back into that world to be "fishers of people." Another result of this call is the belief that unity must prevail on earth. In 1 Corinthians Paul states, "All of you should be in agreement and there should be no divisions among you". This does not mean that there cannot be diversity but that there must be give and take during which we can talk about our different perspectives. Paul is not asking for uniformity but for unity that is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We are living in a society that is moving in the wrong direction. Christianity is becoming less and less a part of our lives, and the world seems to be crumbling under our feet as we hear and read about violence, greed, tyranny, oppression and torture. On the local scene as well as world wide, we look at the same chain of events day in and day out, and year after year. First there is disagreement, thoughtlessness or greed. Next comes hurt feelings and resentment; then anger and accusation followed by slander and smoldering division. And finally complete disunity followed by isolation or total war. The first question that we need to ask is, "What can we do?" There are many things that we can do, and the first one begins with each and every one of us. We need to ask for forgiveness of our own wrongdoings. Once we begin to feel the presence of God's grace again, we have made a start. Next we need to accept God's call, just the way that Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John did. And finally, we need to hear about God's love for his creation-that is, being in communion with Him and feeling the presence of Jesus as the light of the world. We have been called by God to live in the Light of Christ. Although God's will is not always what we ordered, knowing that the Spirit resides within our hearts will bring us peace, hope and love-and these are the first steps to unity. An unknown Confederate soldier put this idea beautifully when he wrote: I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy Life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing that I asked for, but all I had hoped for. |