Mark 1:14-20 (The Message)

 Jan. 24, 2021  Third Sunday of Epiphany

14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: 15 "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message." 16 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. 17 Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." 18 They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. 19 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. 20 Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed

This is where the action comes; the doing; the getting involved in that which disturbs our otherwise complacent lives and causes us to stand up for something, do something, say something it would be easier to leave unsaid or undone.

It means getting involved in life for God.  Or better yet, letting God get involved in life through us.  It means we are called to do what Jesus would have us do, not what we want to do.  And that means compassion will be at the core of all we do.

To follow Jesus is to be led where we would not otherwise go and to be doing what we would otherwise not be doing.  And it would be doing this now!  Ours is not to reason why God loves so.  Ours is but to do and die to self so we can live in the grace which delights in being gracious and merciful.  Not judgmental but compassionate!

As we enter a new year with great potential we need to hear Jesus call to follow him into the issues and challenges which we face, daring to trust that “the goodness of God” is at the heart of it all, and needs to be in our hearts too!   

“The process of signing on with Jesus 

consists of relinquishing what is old 

and treasured and receiving what 

is promised in the goodness of God.”  

Walter Brueggemann

Prayer thought for the week:  “Lord, help me to be less judgmental, more compassionate; that your goodness may be reflected in my living.”  Amen