Friends of God: the third Sunday after Epiphany



Jonah 3:1-5, 10
St. Mark 1:14-20

The truth will come out; that is the nature of truth. But human nature is not so certain. If we share the truth without love, we risk Jonah’s end, alone beneath the dead trees which might have borne us fruit. (Jon. 4:2, 7-8) If we share in love, we may often be returned hatred. But if we share the truth from a place of simple love for those with whom we share, like Christ did, we rarely spend life alone. (Eph. 4:15-16)

Van Heemskerck's Jonah under the Gourd

The cure for loneliness is spiritual friendship, like Abraham’s friendship with God, (Isa. 41:8-10) or the old Irish idea of the “soul friend.” And I do not mean that loneliness which strikes like some hunger pang, and is satiated by joining the virulent roustings of humans: to meet and drink and sing carouse. This is earthly desire, and is even a great good in its season. (Eccl. 3:4)

I mean the loneliness which is the shadow of our own soul. This portion of our being is so easily ignored; indeed many spend their whole lives running from the shadow. But when we are quiet, perhaps at the mysterious hour of 3am, some ache wakes us and we can do nothing but think, we may see the shadow. It is the part of us which says that, with all the power and delights of earth, we can hope for nothing more than a pleasant ride to the grave. Indeed, the shadow reminds us of Satan’s unenviable position: power in this world, and yet the old devil can do nothing but count the hours to his end. 

As the faithful, we know that in the light of Christ’s love and friendship, this shadow disappears. (II Cor. 4:3-6) We are illumined, and in us there is no darkness at all. (I Jo. 1:5-7) The shadow from which we have run is suddenly itself chased away, not by our power, but by the body of Christ. (Psa. 112:4, Jhn. 8:12) It is this Body, I mean the church, which can come to us in a deep spiritual friendship.

Ikon: Christ calling the first disciples
And oh how wonderful the road to spiritual friendship is! It begins, like the disciples, with a simple call: come and follow. (Mark 1:17) But where do we follow to today? Our High Priest is less commonly found out for a stroll by the lakeside these days. And perhaps the call is less direct than we would sometimes wish. But there is the Body. There is the place where we can be led and follow. Sweet saints, go to the place where the holy ones keep. Such treasures of love they have in store for you. To share with you the truth in love.

Consider it. To live in community with others under the friendship of God; to love truthfully, not to satisfy or secure yourself, but because you are loved. (Eph. 4:1-6, I Jo. 4:17-19) To love like laughter, and share both with strangers. To follow recklessly, trusting that God will not put you to shame and will guard your life

- Evan Underbrink

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