Surprised: Stories of Calling, Faith, and Hope

“Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth?” By The Rev. Canon Glenice Robinson-Como

From our text today we learn the heart and simplicity of Johns’ message, which was used by a few new converts to Jesus.  As a matter of fact, their exciting message of invitation consists of only three simple words—Come and See!  Jesus is travelling into Galilee where he finds Philip from Bethsaida and later Philip finds Nathanael who announces, “we have found the one whom Moses and the prophets have written about, Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth.”  I am certain Nathanael, with a puzzled expression on his face answered, “Are you kidding me? Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”  Before Philip can ponder Nathanael’s words, he seems to anticipate his response and simply replies, “Come and See”, and are you ready for this Nathanael?  It is Jesus, son of Joseph….from Nazareth!!!  I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall to see the expression on Nathanael’s face when Philip mentioned anyone or anything of significance coming out of Nazareth, as he replied, “Nazareth!!!!??? Can anything good come out of Nazareth, much less the Savior of the world?”  You see, Nathanael is not interested in following just anyone claiming to have a new idea or thought, least of all someone from Nazareth.  Nathanael is also wise to imposters and does not want to be thrown under the bus from embarrassment and disappointment.  More importantly, Nathanael is familiar with Nazareth and has his own biased thoughts about the town and its people.

Freeze or Follow?

I once met Alison Krauss.  Do you know Alison Krauss?  She is a world-class bluegrass fiddler and singer.  I’ve often said, if I die and get to heaven and the angels don’t sound a lot like Alison Krauss, I may not stay.  Suffice to say, I’m a big fan (and you should be, too).  I once met Alison Krauss.  Alison and her band, Union Station, were in Roanoke, and my parishioner was the general manager of the performing arts hall where they were playing.  Jill and I had second row seats, and thirty minutes before the show my parishioner texted me and asked, “Do you want to come backstage and meet Alison?”

Encountering God

“And then, something happened.”  It is a phrase I suspect anyone who has been a priest for very long has heard multiple times.  In my experience, the lead-up usually looks something like this: A parishioner visits my office with alternating facial expressions of wonder, confusion, and sheepish embarrassment.  He begins to talk without pause, covering every mundane topic of the day to avoid the real reason for the visit.  Then, almost on a dime, he shifts gears and says, apropos of nothing, “You probably won’t believe this.”  And his real story begins.