Jesus calls his first disciples in Sunday’s gospel; four fishermen, Andrew, Peter, James, and John. With Jesus they travel all of Galilee as he teaches in the synagogues, proclaims the good news that the kingdom of God is near, and heals people of every disease.
The four become twelve before Jesus turns toward Jerusalem, not counting the women disciples. The gospel culminates with the risen Jesus sending his disciples to proclaim his good news to the nations.
Today of the 333 million people in the United States, some three quarters of us identify as Christians. This means 250 of us in our nation read and try to live the same gospels that call us to welcome the stranger and feed the hungry. See Matthew 25.31-46.
Among United States Christian citizens, some 22% are Catholics. In Mexico some 80% of the people are Catholic, 100 million strong. With Jesus we all name as the two greatest commandments: to love God with our whole heart, mind, and spirit and our neighbor as ourselves. See Matthew 22.34-49.
Over the centuries and in our present world, Christians disagree. Whole denominations have developed over differences and challenges to reform. Following Jesus calls disciples to active love in the world.
Currently, the suffering and needs of people who must leave their homes fill our headlines. The Kino Border Initiative serves both sides of the border at Nogales, Arizona. Annuciation House in El Paso, Texas, houses immigrants and helps them connect with sponsors.
Almost a decade ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) declared that walking alongside immigrants and refugees is a matter of faith. Its Churchwide Assembly voted to become a Sanctuary Denomination, whose 9,100 congregations will find ways to help. The ELCA identifies as an immigrant church that has worked with immigrants and refugees for decades as a way to practice faith in our world. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of nine resettlement agencies in the U.S.
- How do you express your faith in action?