Dear Friends,

Our readings this week once again speak to the experience of call. In this story from the gospel from Mark, we witness the call of 2 sets of brothers, Simon and Andrew and James and John. These men are called to follow Jesus as they are going about their work as fishermen, two casting their nets, the other two mending their nets. Everyday life... everyday chores... life not lived in the fast lane, but they were 'gainfully' engaged in their work and had responsibilities and families, others who depended on them. One commentary reports that in that period of history, fishermen were viewed as "artisans" who likely had others who worked for them as day laborers. It is likely they enjoyed something of akin to our "middle class" way of life. We are left to ponder how they continued to provide for their loved ones after their unquestioning response to Jesus' invitation to follow him. Assuming, trustingly, that somehow their families were provided for, the story illustrates powerfully the reality that saying "yes" to Jesus means leaving behind the familiar, uncomplicated everyday way of our lives.

It may well be for most of us that we are not called to leave our lives behind. However, each of us is called, on a daily basis if we are faithful to our call, to leave behind familiar ways of being... choosing to be mindful of the needs of others even as we tend to our own, pondering the outcomes of our actions, the impact on others as we make decisions in our lives, seeking ways to be living examples of the 'good news'. While Jesus calls his disciples to 'follow him' he calls them "out into the world"... not away from it.

This call is a call to change... it's a living call…it can and should take on life for us and take shape within us in increasingly deep and meaning-full ways in our lives. Just as the call of those fishermen long ago involved loss... so too does our call. Any change in our lives brings loss with it. What must you lose in order to more faithfully follow Jesus? What do you have to lose?

Jesus' call is also a call to community. The disciples did not experience their all in isolation. They were called to walk together. If you are seeking community with other followers, we invite you to join us at Spirit of Life. As a community, we try wholeheartedly to "be Christ" to one another, to tend to the needs of one another, and to those in need in our world. Together, we celebrate our belief that we are being transformed by God's grace as we gather together in prayer. We warmly invite you to come and gather with us at our Table, and join in our experience of the "kin-dom" of God. We are an inclusive, open, affirming and interactive community, deeply committed to being a people of "justice and joy."

Blessings of peace and joy as you follow the call of Jesus in you life,

Find more about past weekly reflections and podcasts in our ARCHIVE PAGE.