Epiphany 2 Yr B
The Call

For families: Study guide, group activity, snacks, kid video

For children: activity, craft; bulletin games

For middlers:  activity; craft; bulletin games

For youth: You accepted God’s call to you by your baptism and confirmation. Part of your responsibility is to invite others into the Christian community. But, what would that look like? If you invite a friend to church, what will they see? Take a tour of the church building and grounds—from the perspective of a guest. What stands out, both positively and negatively? Take time to share your thoughts with your priest or a member of the Vestry. They will be interested, and you are valued by them. (excerpted from “Come and see Jesus—for Real” from the Stewardship of Life website)

In the depth of silence
no words are needed,
no language required.
In the depth of silence
I am called to listen.

Listen to the beating of your heart.
Listen to the blowing of the wind,
the movement of the Spirit.
Be silent, said the Lord,
and know that I am God.

And listen to the cry of the voiceless.
Listening to the groaning of the hungry.
Listen to the pain of the landless.
Listen to the sign of the oppressed
and to the laughter of children.

For that is authentic communication;
listening to people
living with people
dying for people.

~An Indonesian author, 1983

On the Sundays after Epiphany, the scriptures explore some of the ways in which Jesus was shown to be God’s Son. Today we focus on the beginning of his ministry, when he called his disciples. In the passage before today’s reading, he called Andrew, who went and brought his brother Peter. Today he calls Philip, who brings Nathaniel. 

The first reading is the account of the call of Samuel, the first great prophet of the Hebrew scriptures, after Moses. In the calls both of Nathaniel and of Samuel, the person called is not at first impressed by the call. 

In the second reading, Paul deals with a problem of sexual misbehavior in the church of Corinth by reminding his readers that they are a newborn people by Baptism. How they use their lives, including their bodies, must be put in the context of having been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

As we gather in Eucharist, our new life in Christ is manifested in our response: “Speak, Lord, your servant hears,” and in following him who calls us into lives of faith and ministry in his name.