Third Sunday after the Epiphany
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
- First reading
- Jonah 3:1-5, 10
- Psalm
- Psalm 62:5-12
- Second reading
- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
- Gospel
- Mark 1:14-20
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Vanderbilt University
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The gospel reading from Mark:
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.
Sermon
For this week and those following, our lectionaries have changed in substance, The gospel of John has been more abstract and philosophical. That from Mark will be more historical in nature and more directly relevant to our daily lives. In this week’s reading from Mark, Jesus calls fishermen to follow him and become fishers of men. He first calls Simon, who later will be known as Peter, and Simon’s brother Andrew. Jesus will eventually call twelve, the same number as there are tribes of Israel, to be his disciples to support his ministry. We are called too, to support His ministry, but there are lots of jobs, some abstract, some small, Pastor Stevensen tells us. He once received a letter from a National Guardsman who is studying at a seminary to become a military chaplain. This man has children, works hard, and is paid below the poverty level and cannot afford to buy insurance. A seminary board member accepts a call and pays the Guardsman’s insurance premiums. Our young people go home from school to a culture of television and homework which is seemingly opposed to bible reading and church worship. In this culture,, like the board member supporting a National ‘Guardsman who wants to be a military chaplain, we are called to important tasks.