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‘B’ // Epiphany 3 // 1-25-09 // Celebration of Worship, Northside Presbyterian
Scriptures Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Mark 1:14-20
Freedom from Fear
“Immediately he called them.” And, immediately they followed him.
We might expect the caller to be fearless. But those being called …
And yet, it seemed that whatever subsistence fears these two poor fishermen had harbored suddenly melted in their hearts at the sound of a two-word imperative: “Follow me.”
It seemed that suddenly, a deeper freedom – freedom from fear – had become even more important to them than freedom from want.
As you know, we are experiencing the worst economic downturn – to put the matter mildly – since the Great Depression. How could we not know this? We live, after all, in the state with the highest employment rate in the country.
And yet – in the midst of all the economic stress and distress – recent national opinion polls find that Americans possess more confidence in this new presidential administration than any other since the modern era of polling began.1 And – perhaps more importantly – Americans are willing to grant the new administration a greater latitude to get things done.2
So it seems that in the new administration’s honeymoon period at least -- and amidst an economic crisis at that – our country’s sense of freedom from fear has become at least as significant as its desire for freedom from want.
How is it with you?
A columnist for The New York Times tells of a spot out on The Mall in our nation’s capital on Inauguration Day where a person could pick out a colored marker and write their thoughts and feelings on posters which all began, “Mr. President, I hope for …”3
What would you write?
How is it with you?
How are you bearing up under all this hope – with the immediacy of a major civic “follow me” moment just past? Parallel, if but for a glorious, fleeting moment, with the lifelong “follow me” challenge in our lives found in the pages of today’s scripture?
How are you feeling a freedom from fear these days … which may even trump your desire for freedom from want?
And, here’s the kicker: What does that freedom from fear mean for you, as a Christian?
Let’s allow ourselves, in these next worshipful moments, the opportunity to share our renewed sense of call to Christian discipleship these heady days of the new presidential administration. Our discipleship call – repeated over and over and over again in scriptures – to “fear not!” rather than to “be secure!” Let us reflect on words we may have heard and images we may have seen at the inauguration festivities, in response to this question: How did these words and these images stir up reminders of Jesus’ lifelong call to you to be free from fear?
Congregational reflections are shared.
As the maker of this motion to share our renewed sense of discipleship call based on the inauguration experience, I reserve the right to speak last to it.
I had the unique opportunity to view the inauguration with leaders from across the interfaith spectrum in Washtenaw County. Rarely, if ever, have I sat in the presence of so many who seemed more mindful of the prayers than of the pageantry. (Then again: Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference!)
Given today’s sermon theme from our gospel scripture: One line stood out for me from our new President’s address. You may have noticed it, too: “As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.”
Our safety … versus our ideals: Some choice! But Jesus goes even further than lancing the boil of such a false choice. Jesus poses to us the salve of a real choice: Security through fear … or, freedom from fear?
And, when we find ourselves – through the grace of God – freed from our fear … Jesus poses to us today a follow-up question: What ideals have we been set free for?
“Follow me”, he says. “And I will make you fish for people.”
As if he were saying, “Be free! Be fully free; be wholly free! Free from your fearful fishing … so you can free for the fearful fish!”
For freedom from fear is so much more important than freedom from want. Including the freedom to do whatever we want.
That’s faith, it seems to me: To be free from our fearful fishing … to be free for God’s fearful fish.
The lives of so many others may depend not just on how, but if, we as a church not only choose freedom from fear … but the freedom for others to sustain it.
Benediction …
In his fascinating book Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths, Bruce Feiler notes that “Abraham leaves an indelible set of footprints (for us to follow): He doesn’t believe in God; he believes God. He doesn’t ask for proof; he provides the proof.”4
Believing in God … or, believing God? Asking for proof … or, providing the proof? How is it so with us?
Jesus beckons us, simply, to “Follow me.” Why should we not trust him?
1Hendrik Hertzberg, “Comment: Transitioning”, in The New Yorker, January 19, 2009,
p. 21.
2Adam Nagourney and Marjorie Connelly, “Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed with Patience”, The New York Times, January 17, 2009.
3Maureen Dowd, “Exit the Boy King,” The New York Times, January 20, 2009.
rBruce Feiler, Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths (NYC: William Morrow, 2002), p. 44.
* * *
Prayer by Dr. Barry Black, Senate Chaplain,
at the Inaugural Luncheon – January 20, 2009
(adapted for use in Worship)
Lord of all nations,
Whose kingdom is above all earthly kingdoms,
And who judges all lesser sovereignties,
Look with favor upon those in need –
And let us not confuse our needs with our wants.
Look with favor upon those who fear –
That freedom from fear may even trump all freedom from want.
Empower our newly inaugurated leaders
with the wisdom, courage, and strength needed for our times.
And protect them from any moral arrogance that obstructs the making of a world of justice, peace, and righteousness.
Infuse them with a passion to act in ways pleasing to you.
Lord, preserve their families, in health and strength,
by your mercy and power.
And may they find your grace sufficient for every need.
We ask also that you would shower your blessings upon the American people.
Give us the wisdom to support our new President
With our prayers, patience, and perseverance.
Bless now this luncheon and the nourishment we receive from your bounty.
We pray – in your sovereign name –
Amen.
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