Based on: Matthew 4:12-23

This is an artist's paintbrush, and yes, it really does have something to do with today's Gospel. "Follow me, and I will make you." What do you think when you hear, "I will make you?" Most of the time, I feel resentful or pushed if I think someone is trying to "make" me do something. I suspect we all have a little of that four of five-year-old in us that says, "You can't make me!" Most likely because "make me" makes us uncomfortable, we focus our attention on "Follow m.," We'd like to forgot the rest of the sentence, that little addendum, "I will make you."

Based on: John 1:29-42

I've always pictured this scene in John's gospel where the disciples are following Jesus as rather like a couple of juveniles caught out in something they shouldn't be doing. I like to think of those two guys acting like a couple of shy teen agers: tiptoeing behind Jesus' back, stopping when he stops, picking up speed when he picks up speed. You know; that thing you've seen in some Monty Python movie, "Walk this Way." And finally Jesus, knowing they are behind him, whips around and says, "What are you looking for?"

Based on: Matthew 3:13-17

"This is my Son (or daughter), the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."[1] Whether we admit it or not, most of us spend our lifetimes waiting to hear these words. Even for those of us whose parents are dead, we still live with the internal voices. Not long ago, I apologized for telephoning someone after nine o'clock in the evening. I could hear my mother's voice saying, "Never call anyone before nine or after nine."

Delivered by Nicolette Papanek on Sunday, January 2nd 2011

Based on:

Matthew 2:1-12