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January 31-February 7, 2007

“Make A Wish”

Warm-up Question:

How has someone pleasantly surprised you lately? (unexpectedly)

  

NEBRASKA GRASSLANDS—It’s time, once again, for National Geographic magazine to explore the wild plains of Nebraska in search of sandhill cranes and sharptail grouse. It’s a typical photo shoot, with one notable exception. Andrea, a high school junior from Kansas, is along for the ride. Normally amateur photographers pay a few thousand dollars to join the photo crew, but Andrea is a special guest of the crew. Andrea was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her presence on the photo shoot is a part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The foundation works to grant the wishes of these children through a variety of people and organizations. Through its network of over 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation makes a wish come true every 41 minutes.

It’s been a special day for Andrea. She has witnessed and photographed the unique mating dance of the sharptail grouse. Professional photographer Joel Sartore even let her borrow his $6,000 camera and $15,000 lens. “Being diagnosed with cancer was certainly not fun,” Andrea reflects, “but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.”

 

Discussion Questions

  1. If you were diagnosed with a critical illness, what would you wish for?
  2. What do you think about the Make-A-Wish Foundation?
  3. Imagine the surprise Andrea felt when the National Geographic crew arrived to invite  her on a photo shoot. What do you suppose her reaction was? How would you react to such an unexpected invitation and opportunity?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, February 4, 2007.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)
Psalm 138
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
The Gospel lesson for today is Luke’s account of Jesus calling the first disciples. Luke, the doctor, paints a vivid picture of the scene. At this point in his ministry, Jesus had become quite famous for his preaching, teaching, healing, and wild claims to be the Son of God. In an age with little technology to entertain people, it was common for large crowds to gather around a newcomer, especially one as dynamic as Jesus. But Jesus had something else on his mind. He needed some help “catching people,” so he found some fishermen who were having trouble filling their nets with fish. So, he left the crowds and went out to the boats where Simon, James, and John were fishing.

These men were not having a good day. Every time they cast their nets into the lake, the nets came up empty. However, Jesus asked them to throw their nets over just one more time. Imagine their surprise when their nets were so full of fish that they were “beginning to break.” Amazed by what Jesus was able to do, they left everything behind to follow Jesus.

It stands to reason that it would take more than a magic trick with fish to lure life-long fishermen like Simon, James, and John away from their livelihood. Jesus came to them with an exciting task—fishing for people. While we can imagine that there was a little more dialogue between the men before arriving on the shore, Luke gives us little indication of any resistance or suspicion. These men were enticed with the proposition of helping Jesus with their important task. They didn’t make any arrangements to sell what they owned, pack a suitcase, or tell their friends and family that they were leaving. They left immediately to tell the world about Jesus.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think Jesus asked the fisherman to push the boat out into the water?
  2. Can you imagine how surprised the disciples must have been to see their nets filled with fish? How would you respond if you were in their situation?
  3. These early disciples “left everything and followed Jesus.” Would you be able to do do the same—leave everything and follow?
  4. How is Jesus calling you to “catch people” in your daily life?

Activity Suggestions
Cut several dozen colorful pieces of yarn into one-foot lengths. Give several pieces to each student. Indicate that you’re going to make a fishing net to hang on the wall of your meeting space. Have each person write their name on an index card (or similar size piece of paper) and post it on the net. Each time a new person joins your group, add their name to the net. Encourage the group to “fish for people” to be a part of your group next week! It doesn’t matter if people come and go from the group; just keep adding the names to the net.


  Closing Prayer
Jesus, you call each of us out of our boats and into the world. Help us to go into the world and tell others about you, just like the first disciples did. Amen
 

Contributed by Erik Ullestad
Des Moines, IA
 

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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