January 27, 2008

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Third Sunday After the Epiphany 

Please Read

Matthew 4:12-23

Read also read

Isaiah 9:1-4

Psalm 27:1

Psalm 4-9

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

…As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen.  And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him…..

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

--- Matthew 4:18-20, 23

 .   The Making of a Disciple…

What did they learn, these four,

who, without hesitation,

left their nets to follow him?

Well, first of all, it wasn’t patience. 

Remember, They were fishermen,

and patience is what they had

from the  beginning. 

Maybe that’s what he saw
when he passed by

and spoke his invitation: 

“Follow me.”

But it takes more than patience

to catch people.

What was it then?

It seems to me

he taught them from that first day

what’s needed to be a disciple

and a maker of disciples.

Two things:  to speak and to do,

and fuse the two together

so that all may see you’re real.

It’s like the words in an old song we sang

“Love and marriage

…horse and carriage

…they go together”

Proclamation and healing

Speaking and doing,

each incomplete without the other.

But fuse them, use them,

and you soon realize

the Kingdom of God is come.

And that’s good news!

Lord, give to me the grace

to speak your word and do your deed

in healing, saving ways.

And Lord,

I’ll take just a little more patience too.

Amen.

--- rvc

*** D I S C L A I M E R ***

The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary.  Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment.  As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will.  The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author.  Please also note that while we're unable to quote Bible scripture on these pages, it is permissible to redirect our viewers to Bible passages using hyperlinks to web sites having that authority.

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