A New Direction

A New Direction. (And a New Word.) 

Last week we heard John’s account of the calling of Simon/Peter and Andrew. 

Today we hear Mark’s perspective which includes Jesus calling James and John. 

Like Peter and Andrew; James and John abandon their nets and join Jesus in His mission to preach repentance. The gospel is paired with the story of Jonah preaching repentance to the people of Ninevah. 

The back story makes it clear that Jonah has also repented and taken a new direction in life. Imagine after being told to report to Montreal, you or I defiantly book a flight to Miami. That’s pretty much what Jonah did. God told him to go to Ninevah. Jonah responded by getting on a boat sailing in the opposite direction. 

After getting thrown overboard and finding himself in the belly of the whale Jonah repents and makes a 180 degree change in direction.

I selected our prelude, Change Our Hearts (#659) to set the stage for this call to repentance. 

I’ve also repeated several songs from last week including Come Follow Me (#505) which will be sung at the presentation of the gifts. 

Blessed to be serving at St. Mary’s 

PS 

In researching the book of Jonah I came upon a word of which I had never heard nor read. "Ineluctable" describes God’s inescapable call of Jonah. (And you and me)