January 6^th was a wake-up call.  I cried as I watched rioters storm into the halls of Congress. 
In many ways the events of this week were a response to that dark day.  And one of the most moving moments for me on Wednesday was Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb.”
Ms. Gorman’s reading of her work was so passionate and honest, especially the verses about the apocalyptic scene that unfolded at the Capitol just two weeks earlier:

We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

And this effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed,

It can never be permanently defeated.

She went on to ask, “Where can we find light, in this never-ending shade?”  Having raised the question Ms. Gorman pointed towards a hopeful future and the possibility of unity:

And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow, we do it.

Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed

A nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.

As followers of Jesus, I pray that we can give ourselves to the unfinished business that is America.  But more importantly, I pray that we can give ourselves to the unfinished task of building up God’s Kingdom here and now. Today’s Gospel Passage starts with a wake-up call: John the Baptist has been arrested. The message is clear, God’s kingdom is coming, and it will involve commitment and personal sacrifice. If John was arrested, Jesus’ disciples can expect similar treatment. It will cost these fishermen, and us.  If you want to remain comfortable; if you’re not open to a change of heart, you might think twice about following Jesus.

Jesus calls his followers to, "Repent and believe in the gospel." For Jesus "repentance" means more than asking forgiveness for this or that sin. It is a term that asks us to make a complete 180° turn, an about-face to God.  Jesus was asking his followers to commit to the vision he was preaching.  Jesus wanted all his followers to get caught up in his mission of spreading the Good News of God’s love and peace and healing to all people but especially to those hurting in any way.

Our Church today, needs all of you to have a sense of mission. Yes, we were baptized and here we are faithfully worshiping in church as Jesus’ followers but unless we hear the call to discipleship, the Church at least here on Tybee has no future.  Our connection to Jesus and to one another must be real and joyful if we are ever going to pass our faith on to another generation.  We must allow ourselves to be so influenced by Jesus that his vision is the thing that most informs our hearts and minds.  We must pray with the Psalmist repeatedly, “teach me your ways, O Lord, teach me your ways.”

Praise God that so many of you are answering the call of Jesus.  Praise God for those of you who helped with Family Promise this week.  Praise God for those of you who help at the Social Apostolate and the Thrift Shop every week.  Praise God for those who visit the homebound.  And praise God for the opportunity that we all have today to remain steadfast in faith as we support our new Bishop, Bishop Stephen Parkes, and the ministries of the Diocese through the Annual Catholic Appeal.

Taking the Gospel Home:  How can I answer God’s call and commit myself to more fully to the task of building up the kingdom of God here and now?