Team Jesus anyone?

       Ever present on my mind is the status of the trapped boys and coach in the Thai cave.  Every one of them is praying in some manner to be rescued. The concept of team is ever present on their minds not wishing anyone to be left behind. They want everyone out safely.

     I find it interesting that in Today's passage  Jesus is at the point of choosing his 'team' , his disciples. Jesus invites, the disciples respond. What touches me so deeply in the passage is that Jesus invites. It is not like I recall as a youth being the last player picked or the player no one wants on their team. Those are my recollections of youth and now I know we are all called, by name, before conception even. How will I respond? When I do respond, I am now part of a team, a disciple of Christ. I could simply be someone who acknowledges the Creator, some different faith perhaps. I might play a different position on that same team. Being gay certainly has marked me in so many ways by society but we are all believers, all on the same team. We responded to the call and we say yes. That is the nature of following Jesus. We are not singular in any way. We are communal, we are in community, we respond in common worship, we see everyone as related, all beloved creatures of God.  What a team!  It comes down to what we can do for the team, how can we best play our role, our 'position'. We want everyone to succeed. There is no "i" in team. 

         As we pray for the youngsters in that Thai cave, we must remember our calling as 

community. We are not singular beings. We are joined in infinite ways, equally loved and 

equally responsible for each other. When we win, we win together. What a frigg'n great 

team!  Team Jesus anyone?

Mark 1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”

And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zeb′edee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 2And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zeb′edee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.