Fifth Sunday in Lent - C

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

As Jesus calls his disciples it seems like he has a criterion for the people with which he wants to surround himself. It may not always be obvious in the Biblical account, but Jesus is careful to choose people who are really committed to his message. With their help, Jesus will be able to do more and spread the word about God farther.

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

For January 26, 2020: The United Methodist Church And Paul’s Case For Bipartisan Baptism by Dean Feldmeyer — Paul points out in fairly robust terms that loyalties are tearing the church apart and they must be abandoned in favor of loyalty to Jesus Christ. Sermon illustrations by Tom Willadsen and Ron Love. Worship resources by George Reed that focus on affiliations. How do we identify ourselves and by what groupings? Our identity is in Christ.

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

“Well that should do it for out here.” Paul shoveled the last of the snow on the walkway. “Do you suppose there’s much to be done inside?”

“Does it really matter? I don’t think anyone is going to show up.” Luke looked at the sky. “The storm coming is supposed to be a bad one.”

“It won’t start for a few hours. When it gets underway, we can close up.”

“No seriously man, why are we opening the food bank this morning? I doubt that anyone will show up and most of the town is closed because of the weather.”

“But what if there is someone?”

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

The texts for the Third Sunday After Epiphany are that God goes before us.

Isaiah 9:1-4

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

There are always difficulties in Christian ministry, at whichever level you're involved in it, from church cleaner to the Archbishop of Canterbury. There's always someone who'll find fault, and if like the Archbishop, you're a subject of media interest, then I should imagine Christian ministry can be very difficult indeed and perhaps something of a burden.

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

In today's Gospel text, Jesus calls for repentance, expects Peter and Andrew to drop their nets and follow him, and calls James and John to leave their Father Zebedee in the boat without so much as a "So long, see you later."

My task today is to issue that same call to repentance, that same call to radical obedience and decisive discipleship. For that call is urgent and cries out to be issued in all of its majesty and might.