Third Sunday
after Epiphany
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
I Cor.
7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
Our gracious, eternal God, we thank you
that Jesus’ call to his disciples came in such an uneventful way. Contrary
to the wisdom of the world he did not start with the privileged and the
wealthy and the powerful. He did not begin with those who had little need
and little desire for change. He began with some very simple folk. He
began with some fishermen.
We pray that his call, “Come, follow
me,” might again reverberate through our souls today.
May we hear
again the challenge to be your disciples.
May we hear again the message
of this one who brings good news.
May we hear again the invitation to
come to you, “all you who are weary and heavy laden.”
May we hear again
eternal words of hope which tell us that however dark the world becomes the
darkness cannot ever overcome the radiant light of this holy one, Jesus.
May we hear again those simple words: “Come, follow me,” and may we
come, just as we are, and know again the depth of your grace and love for
us.
Give us the power to bring change and transformation to the
peoples of the world as did those early fishermen. Give us the power to
provide the same kind of hope for the world-weary as they brought to
theirs. Give us the vision of a world transformed.
We pray for
those whose health is a constant and major concern. Be especially with
those whose health is compromised so much that they have no hope of ever
feeling totally well again. For those we ask that you give courage for the
frustrating obstacles of life. Amen
