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The prophet Isaiah writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…” This celebratory announcement is addressed to those who have been waiting for a significant change in their personal situation and the societal circumstance which has burdened them with hopelessness and despair. With light comes deliverance; war and despair have given way to hope and renewal; justice is real; peace has come.  God’s intervention has brought relief and a vision of peace has been established. This same theme is peppered throughout the section of Psalm 27 which Joanne read just a few moments ago. Divine light comes; God’s presence is known and with that confidence is born, hope is infused and determination comes.

Each of these texts serves as a backdrop for Matthew’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Jesus is the light shining in darkness. Jesus is new insight dawning in the soul. This light invites or you might even say strongly suggests that people turn towards something new with confidence.  Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand or turn toward the light which has dawned, for God is calling you to move in a new direction.

Simon Peter and his brother Andrew were casting nets in to the sea, as they were fishermen.  James and John were on their father’s boat mending their nets. Jesus called to each of them saying, “Follow me, I will make you fish for people.” And they did.  We do not know if they had heard of Jesus or seen Jesus before this moment.  We only know this encounter caused them to discontinue what they were doing and pursue another life course. Light, dawns in the soul and they follow.

I am sorry, I cannot help it, whenever I hear this text, I cannot help but to return to a childhood memory engendered from the old Captain Kangaroo Show. The image is that of Tom Tee-riffic. Tom was always on some quest to either make sense of some complex problem or situation.  As I remember, he would scramble around for a bit without success and then all of a sudden, he would stop and a light bulb would appear over his head. A smile would fill his face and it was clear life had new meaning. It all made sense! Immediately, without delay, he began to work with the situation with resolve.  While doing so, he explained what and why he was doing it, with confidence.

No light bulb appears over the heads of Simon Peter and Andrew or James and John. Jesus’ presence and invitation however, cause each of them to immediately put leave their nets and leave their boats and follow Jesus. Forever changed. We don’t know why they decided to move away from what was; we only know they spent the rest of their lives explaining what they did and why, with reverence and determination.

God’s light, Jesus presence, invites us to see life anew and it invites even beckons us move in new directions—all in the same moment.   In our lives, change may not come as quickly as the change Matthew presents in this morning’s text, but the invitation to move in a new direction is always there.

Someone once told me, “It is never comfortable to change until it is too uncomfortable to stay where you are.” Most often we are motivated to change by a burning desire for or a strong attraction to, a new way of life.  Indeed, change can be frightening and uncomfortable.  And yes, change can be resisted. An attachment and/or an attraction to what is familiar, no matter how wonderful or difficult, can draw us into a state of complacency. Each can cause us to stay in situations longer than is helpful or necessary. Complacency can cause us to remain in situations which no longer feed or sustain us.  The light of Jesus’ presence, God with us, is always in our midst inviting us to move in a new direction.

Whenever someone asks me to talk about my “call” to Ordained Christian Ministry, I get tongue-tied.  I can talk about my faith journey, and I can explain the events that led to my decision and talk about the years of study and reflection, but to date, I do not have adequate words to describe the moment I accepted the invitation to put down what I had planned to do with my life and move in this new direction.  I just knew. 

Two weeks ago, Vicki Kemper presented her ordination paper to the Potomac Association.  In the paper and in the summary presented, she described her journey in faith and in life. She wrote about the beginnings of life in the church, what rooted her in faith, the years of questions, the wonder of discovery. She wrote about the places which became spiritual home over the years; she wrote about her seminary studies and her understanding of the history and polity of the United Church of Christ and she wrote about how she arrived here, the place which has become her beloved church home.

In the midst of all those words was an undeniable wordless moment. Divine light illuminated all around her, and her soul danced in our presence. It is somewhat like this morning’s text where we can hear and envision Simon Peter and Andrew put down their nets and James and John leave their boats, but what strikes us is the wordless movement towards something new; the invitation to turn and proclaim the Gospel. We can envision Vicki’s journey, but we are captured by her yes put it all down and follow.

You know, Jesus, James, John, Simon Peter and Andrew are not the only characters in this story. There is also Zebedee. All we know is that his sons left. So we ask, “What about Zebedee?” Was he not invited?  Well, knowing Jesus, everyone was and is invited to put it all down and follow. So what about papa Zebedee? Some say he didn’t get it, others say he simply could not let go.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the invitation to Zebedee was understood as an opportunity for him to put down whatever he needed to relinquish or let go of and proclaim the good news right where he was. Today, we are the Zebedees.  We will witness one of our own, once again, engulfed in Christ light, put down all that is necessary, for her to leave here begin her faith journey anew in Amherst, MA. There she will preach, teach and live the gospel of hope, justice, love and grace.

With joy and longing, we send her on her way.  And as we do, we are invited to pause and ask, “What about us?” What is each of us being called to do in the places we are? How might we continue to live out our faith in a way that Jesus, God with us, is undeniably present in our world? For we are all, clergy and laity, invited to be fishers of people and keepers of the aquarium.

The light of Christ calls each one of us.  Jesus continually beckons us beyond the point of our comfort and familiarity and asks us to do something risky. We may not always know what it is or how to do whatever it is.  We may not know exactly how to become what we’re called to be, but the invitation is always there. 

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