SUNDAY 23 JANUARY 2005
Matthew 4:12 -23
A service of Prayer in the style of the Taize Community
This morning's reading from Matthew's Gospel marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. He is baptised by John. In the desert he is put to the test and passes with flying colours, remaining steadfast and true to his God and God's way.
He then heads for Galilee the land of the Gentiles and chooses a team to work with him. He will start a ministry, but hand it on to a small group to continue. It is this part of the reading - the calling of the disciples that I chose to reflect on today.
It is the beginning of a New Year for us - a time when some people make resolutions - it is a good time to think about directions and what we might put our energies into, individually and as a faith community.
In preparing this reflection I came across a piece of writing which I am going to share with you, because it gave me some food for thought. A memorandum
To: Jesus, Son of Joseph,
Wood crafter,
Carpenter Shop
Nazareth:
From : Jordan Management Consultants
Jerusalem
Dear Sir
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have
picked for management positions in your new organisation. All of
them have now taken our battery of tests: we have not only run
the results through our computer, but also arranged personal
interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational
- aptitude consultant.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue searching for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no leadership qualities. The two brothers James and John place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings and both registered high on the manic-depressive scale.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, has a keen business mind, presents well and has contacts in high places. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your treasurer and right hand man.
We wish you every success in your new venture.
Sincerely Yours
Jordan Management Consultants. (Source: The Anglican Digest,
April 2001.)
Well that is quite clever isn't it and amusing, but when I read
it through a second time it set me thinking about calling and
discipleship.
The Jordan Management Consultants recognised that Jesus was taking on serious and important work
We who choose to respond to the call “follow me “ also take up a serious and important mission
The first disciples were perhaps an unlikely lot but then many of us would probably not get the Jordan Management seal of approval either
Jesus trained his first disciples and led by example, but still it seems, while eager to follow, that they were often not up with the play and lacking in trust, confidence and discernment
Up until the time that is when they were commissioned - then, empowered by the Spirit they found the faith to truly follow
Those are factors that the consultants did not take account of in their assessment of the disciples – faith and the power of goodness/God/The Spirit to transform lives.
Inspired by Jesus and empowered by the spirit, the first group of disciples became confident, courageous and effective – they put in what they said and did, to be living examples of “The Way” – God's way and so attracted others to a new way of living and the good news was spread.
The call to follow is a challenging one and like the first disciples there will be times when we will be found wanting in courage, trust, commitment, faith and discernment. But we needn't feel anxious or ill equipped for the task.
We can have faith that we do not journey alone – we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, of the prophets ancient and modern, of the saints known and unknown. We journey with the people in our community, and all those who trust in the transformational love and wisdom of God. We can honour the call to follow. We can journey with hope, makers of God's kingdom here on earth.
Well those are my reflections............. Now it is your turn. (10 minutes of silence)