This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA). we continued our Meeting Jesus Again series.
Sermon
My message, “Answering the Call” is based on the narrative lectionary passage:: Luke 5:1-11.
You can watch the message below or read the manuscript.
Excerpt
Most of us lead rather ordinary lives. On any given day our schedule is filled with familiar commitments and considerable consistency. However, all of us have had one of those days when the ordinary suddenly became extraordinary.
This morning’s Gospel lesson begins with an ordinary story about an ordinary day. Fishermen are fishing. Some days are better than others. They are tired and frustrated having worked all night without catching any fish.
I can imagine how thrilled they were when their special guest, Jesus, invites them to cast their nets one final time before calling it a day. Jesus seems to be a nice guy and a good preacher, but he doesn’t own any boats and has no track record in the industry.
Nonetheless, Simon obeys. And in his obedience, he experiences a catch unlike any other. His nets overflow. And, his personal transformation begins.
How did Jesus call his first disciples?
According to Luke it started on a boat, continued with a confession, and ended with a call to trade in fishing for fish for something greater: fishing for people.
According to Matthew and Mark no boat was needed. In their accounts, Jesus is walking by the water when he issues an invitation for the fisherman to step away from their nets to fish for people.[1]
Four fisherman – Simon Peter, James, John, and Andrew – found that answering Jesus’ call changes everything.
This week I’ve been thinking about what it means to answer Jesus’ call. In reviewing many examples, including those found in Scripture and in our contemporary context, I’ve been reminded that Jesus meets people where they are.
Then and now, Jesus is calling. Jesus is calling all of us to bring all of ourselves to follow him. And, Jesus is telling us that answering the call is not a once in a lifetime decision; it is a daily lifestyle choice.
This week Bishop Mariann Budde became a household name for doing what she has done for decades: preaching the Gospel. For those not in the know, she is an Episcopalian priest who serves as the Bishop of Diocese of Washington.[2]
Her homily at the Inaugural Prayer Service focused on unity and ended with a call for mercy. More specifically she invited the incoming President to have mercy on those who are marginalized, many of whom are now living in fear.
Bishop Budde called on President Trump to have mercy on gay, lesbian, and transgender folks. And, she asked that he have mercy on immigrants and to remember that “our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”[3]
It’s important to note she’s been at this for a long time. In fact, just a couple of years ago she wrote a book on how to be brave.[4]
We are not Episcopalians. As ELCA Lutherans, however, we are in full communion with her denomination. Our ELCA leaders have made special statements this week in response to the incoming President’s executive orders and Bishop Budde’s message.
On Friday Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, published a pastoral letter about the executive orders that includes these words:
“As a church, we are called to speak up when the government distorts or denies the image of God in each person by endangering access to protection, peace and daily bread. Where harm or inequity occur, we are called by God to respond with love and advocacy.”[5]
Bishop Budde and Presiding Bishop Eaton are inviting us to answer the call. Following Jesus is always about answering the call. And, answering the call in this moment requires us to be brave as we love and serve our neighbors – especially the neighbors named by Bishop Budde: LGBTQ folks and immigrants.
[1] See Mark 1:16-20 and Matthew 4:18-22.
[2] Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, available from https://edow.org/about/bishop-mariann/
[3] Washington National Cathedral. “1.21.25 Sermon by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde,” January 21, 2025, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwwaEuDeqM8
[4] Mariann Budde. How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith (Avery, 2023).
[5] Presiding Bishop Eaton Issues Pastoral Message on Executive Orders, available at https://www.elca.org/news-and-events/presiding-bishop-eaton-issues-pastoral-message-on-executive-orders