3 Epiphany -Year B A Dare, a Test, and an Opportunity Jan. 25, 2009

Mark 1:14-20
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
People, who know me, know that I love reading labels and I love catchy slogans. Well I was in the bathroom closet after my shower and another great slogan caught my eye, this one on my wife’s antiperspirant. The slogan said, “Dare to wear Black.” In this age of vocation shortages in all the major church denominations’. I have often said the reason men and women aren’t going into ordained ministry is because we never tell them how cool our job is.
I also began to think of our task as a church family for 2009. We had another budget meeting this last Wednesday. Coming away from the meeting I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of doubt. I have prayed hard since then and the message in my heart, which I believe is God’s answer to my prayer, is Dare to imagine, Dare to dream, Dare to rest in trusting in God to show us the way.
The Test – I believe that life is full of tests, and this is a test. How bad do we want to be a vibrant expression of God’s love? How hard are we willing to work to find ways to be more efficient in our use of God’s gifts to us? Walls are there to keep the people out who don’t want it badly enough.
The Opportunity – A young Israelite Rabbi came up to a bunch of middle class working people and dared them to dream of a different way of doing business. He gave them a test and an opportunity. They all passed the test, not with their great knowledge but with their great faith. How has that changed from Jesus’ time to ours?
If ever their was a time when the church had a relevant message, if ever there was a time when our families needed to support each other in a Holy way of life, if ever there was a chance to teach our children what is really important or possible it is now. At 5:45 this morning I dropped my parents at the Airport for their trip to Hawaii and I for the 1st time in my life, had a small taste of How God feels when God longs for something for us. I have been planning this trip and celebration of my parents love for each other and for all who touch their lives for over a year and I have sweated and longed and anticipated and waited for today for a long time and I won’t be completely at ease until they’re home with us again. That, I think, is what God feels like when he knits us in the womb with all the possibility, not completely being at ease for us until we are home with Him again.
As he holds us and walks with us on this part of the journey God says, Dare to dream, Don’t fear the test, I will give you the answer just keep asking the question, and use the opportunities I give you to spread my Love. That’s the job and I can’t think of anyone I would rather be on the road with other than you. May to God go the glory. In the name of God.