REFLECTION
EXODUS 20:1-17 1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25 JOHN 2:13-25
This week’s scriptures continue the theme of call to mission. Last Sunday, we reflected on John’s account of the call of the apostles Andrew, Simon Peter and another disciple. This week Mark presents his version of the call of those apostles. The style of the call differs in the accounts. Mark presents Jesus directly calling these men to join him in his mission. In John’s account Jesus doesn’t directly call the apostles. Rather, John the Baptist witnesses publically that Jesus is “the Lamb of God.” Those who hear his witness begin to follow Jesus. Andrew then announces to his brother Simon that he has “found the Messiah.” He then introduces Simon to Jesus.
The different styles of the call reflect the nature of the call as it exists today. Some of us may have “heard the call” in our hearts. Some of us
have been led to the discovery of Jesus though friends, family or teachers. The call comes to each of us in various ways. Our acceptance of that call gives us a share in the ministry of Jesus……and we take up the work of the kingdom. This raises a question. What is the work of the kingdom? The answer to that question will differ from generation to generation because the world and its struggles will differ from one period of time to another. The principle that’s the foundation for our kingdom work is articulated by St. Paul in the short passage from his first letter to the Corinthians that we read today. “The world in its present form is passing away.”
As we work for the kingdom we continually chip away at the world and its imperfect structures. As Jesus taught us, our work will transform the world slowly and mysteriously, the way the presence of yeast transforms flour. Change is the foundation of the kingdom. This brings us to the reflection for today.
We know that the world we live in isn’t perfect. But if we look over the millennia that have preceded us we see constant change. Life is getting better, little by little. Though ignorance, injustice, poverty, inequality and racism continue to have a hold on our lives, we can still say that life has been gradually getting better on this planet. We
still have many serious challenges to continued progress, but we are, as the human family, moving along. Today we’re experiencing tremendous resistance and fear of progress of change.
The rise of populism throughout the world and, in our own country, the rise of violent white supremacy, give clear witness to that resistance and fear. Our work of preaching and witnessing to the principles of the kingdom is the leaven of hope and healing that the world needs in order to take its next step in our evolutionary journey.
I submitted this reflection for publication on January 19th, the day before the inauguration of our newly elected president. He’ll be taking office two weeks after an attempted coup by white supremacists. The resistance to healing and social progress is tremendous. It’s based on fear and fed by anger. On the eve of the inauguration I pray as a worker in the vineyard of the Lord. My reflection, today, is contained in the prayer I raise:
“Heavenly Father, I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ, your Son, sent to us as our guide and our strength. I reaffirm my commitment to him and to the principles of your kingdom: justice, inclusion, respect, equality, harmony, non-violence, and peace. I will do all in my power to work with you in transforming the world into your kingdom. Use me to heal the fear that breeds violence and hatred. May my love help to destroy the man -made walls that have separated and isolated us from each other for so long.
Heavenly Father, send your Spirit, the spirit of truth, into the hearts of our elected representatives. Give them the strength to stand for what is right and good. Give them the courage to lift up and liberate the poor and vulnerable among us.Bless all people of good will as we work for the coming of your kingdom.”
So may it be. Amen.
Give them, and all who work for the coming of your kingdom, the hope we need.
