2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, 2012

John 1: 43-51

The Rev. Ronald N. Johnson

The Old Testament reading and the gospel reading today tell us about vocation. Vocation has several meanings. It can mean the type of career a person pursues, but in Christian usage, vocation means what God calls a person to do as a servant of God.  Christian vocation is not limited to ordained clergy; all those baptized have a Christian vocation, if sometimes nothing more than general discipleship with occasional taskings, as God gives direction.  

In the Old Testament reading this morning we heard Samuel’s story. The boy, Samuel, was living in the Temple with the priest Eli, assisting Eli because the old man was going blind.  In the stillness of the night, Samuel heard a voice calling him by name. He thought it was the old man. Eli knew better. “Next time,” Eli said, “say speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Samuel grew up to become one of the great prophets of ancient Israel.

The gospel reading continues this theme. In the gospel story, Jesus is in the process of picking his disciples.  He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me,” and Philip did. Jesus then worked through Philip to extend a call to Nathanael, but in the course of Nathanael’s calling something very interesting happened.  Nathanael questioned how it was that Jesus was calling him, since Nathanael clearly thought that Jesus did not know him.   But Jesus told Nathanael, “I knew you, even before I called you. I even knew that you were sitting under the fig tree, where Philip found you.” The teaching point of this story is that God knows what he wants and whom he wants, and he knows what each of us is capable of doing in his name. In Christian vocation, God always chooses the right person, at the right time, to accomplish God’s desires.

Each of us, through baptism, is called to discipleship. In baptism, we are called to be followers of the Risen Lord.  But discipleship, as a baptismal obligation, is a general calling.  From time to time, God calls us to special work. He has, for us, a specific task. Sometimes the vocation is for a lifetime of specific service; sometimes it is both specific and limited.  Regardless, when it happens, it is God’s call.  Your response is optional. You can say “No.” God, in his love, has given us the freedom to choose. But if you would be his faithful servant, you will not say, “No.”

The good disciple, the faithful disciple is much like the boy, Samuel.  Samuel listened for God’s call and, when he heard God’s voice, he obeyed.  Philip and Nathanael also willingly and joyfully followed Jesus, when called.  If we would be good disciples we will not fret about whether we will understand the call when we hear it and have the skill to do the work. What we need to do is listen and obey.  When we listen to Jesus and follow him, we can never go wrong.  When we listen and follow, we grow beyond the narrowness of self, to accomplish wonderful things in the name of our Savior.  When we listen and follow Jesus, God’s work in the world gets done through our hands, our hearts, and our minds.  Then, truly, we are faithful servants.  Amen.