767 ELM STREET * ROCKY HILL * CONNECTICUT 06067
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767 ELM STREET * ROCKY HILL * CONNECTICUT 06067 |
           
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One night, just after falling asleep, Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. received a phone call. The person on the other end threatened to kill him if he did not stop his activity for civil rights. This frightened King. He had been through so much already; he feared for his family and his life. The historian, Stephen Oates, in his book, Let the Trumpet Sound, describes what happened next: He put his head in his hands and bowed over the table. “Oh Lord,” he prayed aloud, “I’m down here trying to do what is right. But Lord, I must confess I am weak now. I’m afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I can’t face it alone.” He sat there, his head still bowed in his hands, tears burning his eyes. But then he felt something-a presence, a stirring in himself. And it seemed that an inner voice was speaking to him with quiet assurance: “Martin, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with, even unto the end of the world.”….he promised never to leave me alone, never, never. He raised his head. He felt stronger now. He could face the morrow. King’s trembling stopped, and he felt an inner calm he had never experienced before… And for the first time God was real….he would never leave him alone. Jesus begins his ministry announcing the in-breaking of God’s Reign in his ministry and a call to conversion, a change of heart. He brings this good news to a part of Galilee that over 700 years previous had suffered from the Assyrian onslaught, and who had experienced God’s saving activity soon after. Jesus announces that once again God is acting to save his people in a decisive and definitive way. In going to this region he announces that all people will be beneficiaries of the saving action of the Father in his ministry. By this time he realizes that he cannot do this alone, he needs disciples to work with him. Jesus calls James and John to leave everything behind and to follow him. Leave behind security; leave behind family allegiances; leave behind your on life for the new life. This is typical of the demands placed on the Lord’s disciples. What’s more, Jesus does something quite different from his culture. Jesus calls his disciples. In those times those who wished to be disciples of a teacher would ask if he could study with the teacher. For Jesus it is different; he calls men to come and follow. He calls them with a sense of urgency, “come now, the Reign of God is so important it simply cannot wait!” And so they followed Jesus-at least that’s what we hear. But I wonder; did they ever doubt their decision? Did they ever get so scared that they thought of going back home where it was safe; where no one would expect anything of them; where there was little risk and perhaps many quiet years ahead of them? Well, we know they got sacred, even left Jesus when the cross came, but they returned and were reconciled with Jesus by Jesus in the experience of the resurrection. Yes it is challenging to be a disciple of the Lord. Yes. It contains risks. Yes, sometimes we get scared. But “lo, I am with you always”. God’s saving action in the world needs us to help make it real to others. Some of us may prefer expressing this faith differently from others. Some may be serve in a hospital, or an honest administrator; some a street sweepers, others as clergy. Some will work directly with the poor; others will work in the halls of government to promote peace. Some will dedicate their lives to helping to eliminate the scandal of abortion. Sometimes we may get scared or discouraged; but remain faithful, God is with you. For St. Paul, it wasn’t a matter of who brings the gospel, the Cross and resurrection of Christ is the truth. For Paul it is about responding to the call of Jesus. “Come drop everything and follow me, and together, we can remake the world if we only follow him.” And it may be for some, for the first time, God becomes real. Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D.Min. Return to Saint James Home Page |