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The Rev. Scott Murrey

The new common lectionary sets the Old Testament reading in Jonah.We all know this story. But it's theme which I hear calling this week is one of being called, called to speak out news, or rather judgement. And faced with that task, Jonah turns in another direction. Not that the task was too small, but that he knew the one who called him too well. the message and out come Jonah wanted was different than the one God wanted. And so he ran.

This week also brings us to recall the life of a modern saint, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.Here, too, was a person called by God, given a hard message to bear. It wasn't very popular to many. It was hard to hear.But he called for justice, and he called for equality. He knew the one who called him and it gave him strength. He called us to a higher vision of ourselves, where color of one's skin didn't matter.

And that dream of MLK came true this week as the United States brought in its first and last black president. I say 'last' because color will no longer be a consideration for that high office. And in his inauguration speech, Obama called Americans, and also most of the world, it seems, to listen to hard things. Yet in the midst of terrible conditions facing all of us, I felt uplifted and inspired by his words. I truly think he will be the right person in the right place for this crisis we face. And I think he bears a message which is above politics, which he need to hear.

Finally, of course, is the calling of the fishermen by Jesus.Mark begins his gospel with Jesus speaking of repentance and the good news of the kingdom.It is interesting, I think, that Jesus calls his disciples in terms which they will understand. As they understand fishing, he tells them that he will making different kinds of fisherman. He didn't say he would make them into salesmen, or farmers. He started on common ground in his calling.In a sense, I think he let them grow into the work.As God call us as well.Often when feel a calling or leading from God, our first response is probably, 'um, not ready yet. that is far beyond my abilities.'But the gospel story, and the examples above as well, I think, speak to us of a God which shapes us into calling into which he calls us.