Blogging towards Sunday

Matthew 4:12-23 if the gospel reading for this Sunday. Its essentially two stories combined into one, the second of which is the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John. From this second pericope comes the famous quote "follow me and I will teach you to be fishers of people (men)." Its an interesting thing in our society to ponder what it means to be fishers of people. One could ask if this is a call to evangelism - go out and bring people in, to worship and to Christ. It could also be a lesson in how Christ calls each of us, as ordinary as we are, to use the skills that we already have in new ways. Thus a teacher, teaches; a parent cares; a doctor heals; and an accountant balances so that through them the Spirit can work to spread the gospel. It could also imply that, like fishing, the Church needs a plan for how it will engage the gospel vision and the mission of each congregation and believer. Which ever way you look at this is a wonderful story that lays before each of us the challenge to use the skills, talents, and resources that each of us posses to engage in Jesus' calling to fish for people.