Musings about Faith

Read the texts here:  Jonah 3:1-10  and  Mark 1:14-20 CALL Both of the lessons today deal with the issue of call .   In the Gospel, Jesus calls the fishermen Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John.   “Follow me,” he says, and they leave everything and follow him.   This lesson is contrasted by the lesson from the reluctant prophet Jonah, who also received a call from the Lord God: “Go!”   “And then away in the opposite way he went.” It is also interesting to note that Mark makes it clear throughout the Gospel that these disciples really didn’t know what they were getting into.   They have preconceived ideas of who Jesus is and what he wants from them that turn out to be completely wrong.   One wonders if the disciples actually understood more from the beginning if they would have been so willing to leave their nets and follow.   Jonah on the other hand seems to have a pretty good idea of not only what is expected of him, but what the r...

Read the text here:  Mark 1:4-11 Wet & Well Pleased And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11 And we are off!   Just like that within just a couple verses in the Gospel of Mark we are plunged into Jesus’ ministry.   No long mystical prologues; no genealogies; no Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds or wise men here.   Within the space of just a few sentences Jesus arrives at the Jordan River as an adult, is Baptized and then he is immediately wandering in the wilderness struggling against the powers of temptation.   No time for a reception, or time to visit with family or time to consider and think about all that has happened.   Jesus is baptized – the heavens are ripped, the Spirit descends, he hears the voice – and it is out into the wilderness and beyond.   Jus...