Mark 1:14-20
NRSV
14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
16-20 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
REFLECTIONS:
Nathaniel has this kind of snarky or jaded question about Jesus’ origins (we’ve all had those feelings about a town or place that carries with it a certain stereotype). I really love Philip’s response to his friend, a response he likely learned from his Rabbi’s ‘follow me.’ There’s not a need to argue, explain or apologize for Jesus; he simply says, “Come and see,” and lets Jesus speak for himself. Sometimes I get wrapped up in feeling like I have to have the right answers, stand up for something, or succumb to pressure to conform. Instead, here I see a friend offering an invitation, and then walking alongside in discovery. In that sense, both get to have an experience, both making their own discoveries… together.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Got a problem you’re trying to solve? Ask three people for advice!
Pathways toward Centeredness
Tradition (Loving God through Ritual and Symbol):
Select a totem - a small, physical object that can represent your life. At the end of each work day this week, roll the totem in your hand as you replay the day in your mind, reflecting on the good parts and the hard parts. When you are ready, set the totem. Let your mind take a break from reflecting on work until you pick your totem up tomorrow.
Questions for Reflection
If you could change any behavior or habit, which would you choose? What new habit or practice would you replace it with?
Is there a person or group of people who inspire you to be better or different? How might you being to imitate their way of being human?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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