January 24, 2021- Sermon Video

January 24, 2021 Third Sunday after the Epiphany The Rev. Mark Pendleton Christ Church, Exeter 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." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for 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. Mark 1:14-20 The image of casting nets is a good one on a morning when we gather to do the work of our parish church at our Annual Meeting in less than an hour's time. I have often thought about how the faith we have been given and called to -- the work of we have been given by God - is not that different from the first fisherman disciples. When Peter, still Simon in those early days, Andrew, James and John met Jesus they were just going about their work and living their lives. There was no mountaintop experience yet, that would come later, today is just about fishing and making a living and providing for others dependent on them. As for you and me, day in and day out, we too go about our lives -- school, work, active retirement, not enough work during Covid and everything in between. We too cast nets and wait to see what returns to us. Will our efforts come reward us with an overflowing haul, or will they come back empty? Will what we put out into the world be at all welcomed and received in ways that we intend. If we try to reach out to someone in need, will our encouragement bring them to a more stable and healthy place, or will our efforts just put a Band-Aid over something far bigger than we could ever fix. Another gospel image comes to mind: that of the parable of the sower, when a farmer scatters seeds uncertain where they might land. Fisherman do not always haul in great catches. But to catch much of anything they must push off from shore, away from what is comfortable and known, for deeper waters is often where the fish are found. Those who fish require patience, for the hours are long. If you and I are to join the work of healing our broken world at this moment of time - in whatever way we can -- we will need to tap into the energy, endurance and strength of those who have cast their nets far and wide to reach those who may have no interest in listening. I am remined by what hear hear in Matthew's gospel when that same Peter came to Jesus later on and said, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22) The opportunity and cost of becoming fishers of people. May God give us just enough humility and grace to keep trying - to keep fishing -- as we are able. I am reminded of that well-worn but classic story of the starfish I first heard as a child - a true modern parable. You must know the story: A man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. If I don't throw them back, they'll die." "Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!" After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said.... "I made a difference for that one." (Adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley) Such a simple and powerful story. Life and faith is about finding the call or passion or gift that comes easiest to us and using it to bring about good and mercy and wholeness. Since March, my work as your rector has felt somewhat like those fisherman disciples. Working alongside our capable staff, we have been tossing out ideas, trying on new things, learning -- we hope -- from what is not working, all to try to keep this faith community moving forward. I wish I could say that every week is rich and inspiring. There are many days I too am Zoomed out! Without the opportunity to see roughly 150 faces every Sunday morning in person, I have worried at times about those we have not be able to reach and keep engaged over these many months, who may have fallen off our radar. It has been a hard shift from that of a gatherer of in-person Sunday flock, to that of Zoopm presider. There have been weeks when I have felt more like a sheepdog than a shepherd: calling, reminding, emailing, and hoping that folks don't get too spread thin that they gradually wander away. In those brief moments of frustration and discouragement, that I know many teachers have been feeling, the staff and I have been extremely supported with notes of encouragement and thanks by so many of you. There is not a day that goes by, and my wife Leslie (whose birthday is today by the way) she knows how thankful I am - we are - to have cast our nets alongside all of you. Annual Meeting Sunday sermons and reports from the Rector are good moments to check the pulse of a faith community: take our vital signs if you will. If we were a physical body, we would get on the scales, take some blood work, listen to our heartrate and test our reflexes. And we might be prescribed some follow-up work to do. Changes in our daily routine to make us stronger. More exercise and better nutrition. With God's help, we will continue to be make a difference in ways that matter. I ask that you that keep believing that by some mystery God works in and through worshipping communities that gather around altars in good times and over Zoom in harder times, that challenge us with moral decisions that our ours to make, that sing hymns, comfort those who have experienced loss and are going through tough times, and teach children that there is at a church where they will always be welcomed that hopes, on our better days, to love more than we exclude and that they will never know a day when they were not welcomed or valued. Our work continues. 2