Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Call stories

  • Come and See

    In reading about the way Jesus calls his disciples, we have the chance to see what we are actually called to participate in.

  • In this week’s gospel, we see Jesus call Philip and Nathaneal. For us, the challenge lies in recognizing how much we call each other.

  • Part of the challenge of connecting with the divine (and one another) is that we forget that even God isn’t doing all of the work.

  • In the calling of Nathanael, we jump past the call stories we’re familiar with—and into a vision of an active relationship with Jesus.

  • Most preachers love the psalms and parables. Me, I’ll take the call stories. The stories where Jesus collects followers like I collected baseball cards and comic books. Intentionally: with respect for big names and the common ones alike. Of course the other stories are sexier. The enduring parables like The Prodigal Son(s), the Good Samaritan, the…