Today’s readings are all about God calling people. He calls Isaiah, Paul and Simon to his service today. So, I have a joke about another call made by God: God calls up the Pope and says, “I’ve got some good news, and some bad news.” God says, “I’ve decided that there should just be one church, and one religion. No more confusion.” The Pope says, “That’s wonderful! So, what’s the bad news?” God says, “I’m calling from Salt Lake City.”
God is calling. In our first reading today, we read about Isaiah having a spectacular vision with winged seraphs flying around. He moans that he is lost, with unclean lips. A seraph touches his lips with a live coal (ouch!) and he is forgiven of his sins. When he hears the voice of the Lord asking; “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” He answers: “Here am I; send me!”
God is calling. In 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about how he was called by God. He was actively persecuting Christians when he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. He became the most zealous of the early followers of Christ. He was called to change his ways and boy; did he ever change. And, in one of my favorite bible quotes, he got to say, like Popeye, “I am what I am.”
God is calling. In today’s gospel, we have the wonderful story of fishing with Jesus. Simon has been fishing all night long, and now, having caught nothing, is on the shoreline, cleaning his nets. Jesus comes along followed by a big crowd. He asks Simon to take him out on his boat so he can preach. Simon takes him and he must do some serious listening, because, when Jesus tells him to go back out into the deep water to fish again, this tired fisherman complains, then complies. Soon, they catch so many fish their nets are bursting! Simon yells for his friends to get out there to share the great catch.
He realizes that there is something very special about Jesus and he feels overwhelmed to be in his presence. He confesses his sinful nature. Jesus doesn’t say anything about forgiveness, he just tells Simon to follow him so that he can catch people instead of fish. Simon, James and John bring their boats to the shore and leave everything to answer the call of Jesus.
Over and over, God is calling, and people answer, even when they feel unworthy to do God’s work in the world. Think of petulant Johan who was so cranky about following God’s orders. Think of Moses who complained that he didn’t speak well enough for bring God’s word to the people. Think of young Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, Simon Peter, James and John. They all heard the call of God and answered.
Someone once said, “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies those he calls.” This should give each of us the encouragement that, although we are but ordinary, flawed individuals, God can use us to do extraordinary things. Like Peter, we are not called because of our worthiness, but because of God’s transformative grace.
God calls all of us to do his work. How do we answer this kind of call? Many good people are called to leave their homes and help people all over the world. I really can’t imagine ever doing something like that myself. I can look around our own community and realize that I don’t have to go casting my nets into the deep water of distant places. There’s plenty of deep water here at home – plenty of people who need to hear the good news. Plenty of people for whom we can model Christian forgiveness and love. I believe that God calls us every day in all kinds of ways.
Most of you know that my dog Luna and I are involved with Canine Reading Buddies. Most weeks, we visit elementary schools so that kids can read to Luna. The idea is that sharing a book with a non-judgemental dog boosts students’ confidence and helps to instill a love of reading. Dogs, kids and books: my personal trifecta of favorite things!
A while ago, I realized that this is actually a ministry for me (and Luna) as we spend this precious time with small people, listening, chatting, laughing, truly connecting. Luna isn’t really a very good listener, she gets bored and stares at me, wondering why we aren’t going for a walk, but the kids adore her, so she tries to kiss them on the lips. The kids often tell me all about their own pets, sometimes sharing personal details about ‘going to Dad’s house for the weekend’ or the sadness of losing pets. It is a ministry of companionship for me, to just be present with these kids.
God is calling. I believe that God often becomes manifest in the ordinary, even tiny events of a person’s life – events which nevertheless are in accord with some greater purpose. Small events like reading to a dog.
As our country is in such a state of upheaval, and essential services that aid the needy are being butchered, we are each called, in our smallness to step up and answer God’s call. We are called to care for those in distress, pray for them and pray with them. Feed them, clothe them, and listen to them.
We are called, as well, to love our neighbors, and our enemies and boy, that can be hard. But we must remember the words from 1 John: “Those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” Therefore, in Christ, we must love all of our neighbors even when it is not easy. It takes the humble response that we repeat every time we recite out Baptismal Covenant: I will with God’s help. We have the will, but God is the way.
When you feel overwhelmed, come to church. Lean on God in community, release your tensions, and refresh your own soul. Listen to the words of our Lord, join hands with your community at the table of God, and partake in the nourishment that can only come from the body and blood of Christ.
And then, finally, go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In time, your collective nets will be filled.
Amen.