Annual Theme for 2010 - Follow Me

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

With those words, according to St. Matthew, Jesus called his first disciples. It was clear from his call that he was interested in more than gathering a group of followers who would in turn attract followers who would keep the wisdom of Jesus alive after he was dead. Rather, from the metaphor Jesus used, it was clear that he wanted his followers to actively recruit new disciples. And they were to do that as a community.

Our theme for 2010 is “Following Jesus,” which brings our focus to bear on becoming a community of disciples. As we announce and demonstrate the purpose and plan of God in the world through Jesus Christ, we need to realize that the plan is to gather people into the kingdom. The specifics of our call are available to us in Scripture and we can be equipped to answer our call by the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospels we see that Jesus was calling commercial fishermen and not sports fishermen. The latter are in it for the sport, while the former depend on it as their way of life. “Jesus fishing” is not a matter of the latest lures and programs, it is the business of a lean and hungry breed. If we are to follow Jesus, we need to put away our sure-fire lures and gourmet focus, and cast the wide net of the Gospel in the neighborhood of the church and bring in the large and the small, the good and the not-so-good, those like us and those who are different. Then like the original disciples we need to bring those who are “caught” to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit do his work.

The adventure for this year is to learn how God would have us grow in our obedience to him by reaching out to others, discipling others and celebrating in the goodness of God.