Today we are persons broken, families, neighbors, and a nation horribly divided, a global community in crisis. Every day I have choices. Who I pray for, how I spend my money, how I am with the other I encounter, where I give my free time and energy, what I aspire to, where I find my place of belonging, what I offer, whose lead I follow.
With this Sunday’s gospel reading from Mark, Jesus’ public ministry begins– “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.’”* In the next sentence, Jesus is passing along the shore and calling ordinary fisherfolk to come follow him.
Follow me. The invitation is simple, filled with possibility, and scary. Jesus calling ordinary folks – that’s you and me – to heal the sick, lift up the lowly, free the captive, proclaim God’s mercy. God’s invitation is not to greatness or power. It’s not to success or popularity. It’s not to wealth or even comfort. It involves a thousand deaths of self-adulation and self-preservation. Yet, it offers a life that is so much more – the one we glimpse in moments of love that we would not trade for the world.
Follow me. I can’t help but skip a few chapters ahead – we need not go far – and see the difficulties encountered in following Jesus. The way ultimately leads to seeing Jesus suffering with arms outstretched in forgiveness for a world that found his message of God’s good news too threatening to their way of life.
What to do is not always clear or easy. I don’t know how to heal myself let alone the nation, but I hear the invitation to follow Christ. Humbly, with all I am and have to give.
-Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
For reflection:
- What do you hear in Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me”?
- What spiritual practices ground you in a life in God?
- Is there a prayer or song that you might carry in your heart to encourage you on your Christ journey?
[The Daily Quotes this week are some of my helps. –Trish]
