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Building a Movement to Meet the Moment
I have been unable to move on from last week’s Gospel reading (Matthew 4:12–23) as I reflect on the times in which we are living.
Jesus receives devastating news: the unjust imprisonment of his co-laborer, relative, and forerunner, John the Baptizer. In response, Jesus does something counter-intuitive. He withdraws from the center of Herod’s power and settles in Capernaum, a small fishing town on the Sea of Galilee. It is there that he begins to call others—to identify leaders, to gather companions, and to officially launch his public ministry.
Over the next three years, Jesus will teach, heal, disrupt, and inspire. He will make his way to Jerusalem eventually. But first, there is work to be done: to proclaim the good news of God’s reign—not Herod’s, not Caesar’s—and to gather a community willing to be shaped and formed by the love of God. To do the on-the-ground work to build a community that can be both a sign and a sustaining force for the “kingdom of God” that is coming near to us every time we respond in love.
As we witness the rising tide of violence and authoritarianism in our own country; as we hear the real fears of our neighbors; as we see the struggle for daily bread; and as many of us feel anger, grief, and despair in the face of dehumanizing and cruel words and actions by those in power, we are reminded of something important: followers of Jesus have been here before.
And Jesus shows us what faithfulness looks like in such times. We get rooted in place. We connect meaningfully with one another. We center and serve those most harmed by the powers of this world. And we respond—again and again—to the call to follow Jesus with bold, resilient love.
It is time to join the movement of God for justice and peace. Indeed, it is always time. But it is now time to do the intentional, grounding work of Capernaum so that we are prepared for the costly faithfulness of Jerusalem. It is time for us to take up our crosses and follow Jesus in loving, sacrificial, and liberating action.
I am grateful for the words of our Presiding Bishop, +Sean Rowe, who recently wrote:
“In the coming years, our church will continue to be tested in every conceivable way as we insist that death and despair do not have the last word, and as we stand with immigrants and the most vulnerable among us who reside at the heart of God. We will be required to hold fast to God’s promise to make all things new, because our call to follow God’s law surpasses any earthly power or principality that might seek to silence our witness.”
This Sunday, during Adult Connect, we will take a next step together. We will share what we know, what we are hearing, and some tangible ways we can respond—through prayer, relationship, advocacy, and action. Each of us has a role to play in this movement of love. What might yours be? What can we do as a St. John’s community?
I look forward to discerning how we can take this meaningful work forward, together.
Derek+
To learn more about February Outreach and Social Justice activities with St. John's and our community partners, including our Refugee Ministry, click here.
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