Our Ministries
20 Jan

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Sense of Urgency

“’Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”

We are called to discipleship. Discipleship is not something that we take upon ourselves. To be on Jesus’ team, we have to be present, hear the call, respond, leave all things behind, and follow. I am always amazed at how Jesus’ personality and strength was such that the men he invited left everything. They didn’t store any of their possessions. They didn’t have farewell gatherings. They just followed and never turned back. I am in awe of them.

“I urge you…that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.”

If I am listening to the readings this weekend, I will hear an all too familiar tale of choosing sides and other divisive behavior. Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that if we consider ourselves brothers and sisters, there can be no divisions. He says it with great urgency!

I am urged then, to leave some things behind. I must leave behind my inclination to choose sides, to pit one position against another, to dismiss as disloyal or narrow-minded those who understand things differently than I do.

Jesus does continue to seek others to join him in preaching the gospel—both in word and in action. He invites us to make peace with the divisions in our life where there could be unity.

I confess: I have lots of repenting and healing to do. The kingdom of God is at hand. Lots of unifying to do. There can be no hesitancy.  Anybody ready to jump out of the boat?

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