Leaving Nets

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:14-28 

On Saturday I had the honor and challenge of burying a friend and mentor. Years ago, when he asked me to do his funeral, I willingly said I would. Yet, when the time came, all too soon, part of me wished to just be in the congregation, cared for by some responsible clergy person, rather than leading and preaching. This seems to be the way we serve God. We are called from our safe spaces and our comfort zones. We have to put down the familiar and venture out into new and challenging places.

At the very beginning of Mark's Gospel we hear Jesus call the disciples. There is no sweet nativity story. It is a get-to-work narrative and the earliest of our Gospels. Jesus calls the fisherman and they respond without hesitation. The unclean spirits, who he calls out, test him, but eventually move quickly so the man can be healed. We are invited to respond when we are called and to know that despite challenges and the new places we are taken, we go with God's loving presence always.

Today, I ask God to give me the strength to respond. May we all say yes, despite our fears, and be lead to new places and opportunities of healing.