Follow me! - March 8
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 45; PM Psalm 47, 48, Gen. 37:12-24; 1 Cor. 1:20-31; Mark 1:14-28
When our first child was born, a dear friend gave us a series of board books. The thick pages are worn with years of reading, dropping, gnawing, and the like. Our kids are still drawn to the images of goslings named Gossie and Gertie, who are best friends. Where one goes, the other joins. To wear their shiny boots in the rain. To check out the barnyard animals. To dive in the pond. One day, Gossie calls her best goose buddy to follow onto the next venue: stomping in a mud puddle. Gertie makes a different choice. She does not want to jump in the mud. Gossie tries again, “Follow me!” – but Gertie chases a hopping frog. Gossie, now visibly upset, demands, “Follow me!” – but Gertie is tailing a butterfly. Gossie is frustrated that her best friend will not do everything she wants to do. Then, Gertie turns around and calls for Gossie, saying, “Follow me! It’s dinnertime!” Gossie follows Gertie and the yellow goslings happily eat dinner together.
Sometimes, we need a really good reason to follow someone.
In Mark’s good news appointed for today, we hear a story of following a call. Jesus comes to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God’s kingdom. He calls out to whomever will listen, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Then, Jesus walks by the water and sees brothers Simon and Andrew throwing nets into the lake, trying to catch fish. Jesus calls out, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Do you know what those guys did? They dropped their nets and immediately followed Jesus. A bit down the coastline, Jesus sees Zebedee’s boys, James and John, who are repairing the tears in their nets. Surely there is conversation going on as they are preparing for the next haul of fish. Immediately Jesus calls out to them, perhaps saying the same invitation, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” James and John drop the nets, leaving the boat, their dad and the hired hands, and they follow Jesus.
I wonder, what had been stirring in Simon and Andrew’s hearts before Jesus called out to them? Did James and John feel an inkling that some big change was about to present itself? Were they praying to the Lord for a call? Answering God’s call is a bold move. And yet, in the moment, maybe it just feels like the right next thing. These brothers followed Jesus. And Jesus worked with them, training them into a new skill – sowing the seeds of faithfulness as they became fishers of people.
May God open our ears today to hear Jesus calling to us, “Follow me!” – and in the footsteps of John, James, Andrew, and Simon, may we move our feet to walk alongside Jesus in faith.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
When someone calls you to follow, how do you respond? With questions? Agreement? Do you invite others to join you? How does it feel to follow someone else?
When have you felt God nudging you to follow?
Daily Challenge
Lent can be a time for establishing a new spiritual discipline. These spaces of structure are ways to follow God more closely. Consider living into a rule of life - and following the precepts outlined for faithful living. Or, spend time reading the Rule of St. Benedict.