This is the season of Epiphany, which means light, being enlightened.  It is the time to remember how Jesus disciples were called to follow him and have their lives forever changed.  They were enlightened in a big way.  Four of these disciples were fishermen, the brothers Simon and Andrew and the brothers James and John.  Jesus said to them , "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."
So, when Jesus asked these men at follow him, they must have been hopeful that it was a very positive thing to do.  I assume they did not know exactly what he meant by “I will make you fish for people.”   It must have sounded strange but welcoming, I hope.  They must have recognized that they had been “fished for” successfully.  I imagine they felt that others could be “fished for” too.  We know from the Gospels how following Jesus changed their lives.  They did follow him, throughout his ministry.  The saw him heal all who were sick, they saw how demons were afraid of him when Jesus exorcised them, they listened to his teaching and preaching.  They were invited to reflect on his parables and, when they were clueless, he explained the parables to them.  They witnessed many miracles such as his feeding of the 5000 and stilling a violent storm.  Three of them witnessed the transfiguration and then journeyed with him all the way to Jerusalem.  They witnessed the many times he was in conflict with the religious authorities and must have felt afraid for his safety.  They shared in the Last Supper and went with him to pray in Gethsemane and then saw him arrested and taken away.  They hid themselves while he endured the crucifixion but witnessed the risen Christ several times when he appeared to them. Upon the Day of Pentecost, full of the Holy Spirit, they proclaimed the Gospel, just as Jesus did when they first met him.  They then continue to proclaim the Gospel, his Gospel, and took it to every place they could visit, “fishing for people” to use Jesus’ term as they went, fishing for them and inviting them to become people of faith and be a part of the new community which would be the church. The four spent their lives following Jesus, learning from Jesus, and then proclaiming the faith that was in their hearts and minds that had transformed their lives.  Following Jesus gave them new opportunities, new ways to be, new ministry to engage in, a new life, a life filled with Christ’s love each day of their lives. 
So, for you who have heard their stories, know that by the way they gave their lives to God and for God, their lives were fuller and richer than any could ever have been.  They were the ones who helped to found the Church, your church this church.  You have been Baptized into this faith, baptized to follow Jesus too.  What does that mean for you?  You probably were Baptized as a baby with no recollection of the event.  If you had been old enough to remember you would have heard the priest say to you, and to the whole congregation, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”  You would have responded, “I will with God’s help.” That promise was made by your parents and sponsors.  But several times a year you have been invited to renew all your Baptismal vows including that one.  Let me repeat it, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”  Proclaiming the good news is what Jesus did when he started his own ministry.  That was what he invited the disciples to do and is now inviting you to do.  By what you say and what you do you are invited to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ.  So how will you do it?  One way is to remember the “Going Local” movement we encouraged you to participate in, a few years ago.  With covid still a terrible threat everything is different right now.  But if you ever go to Shop Rite or Weiss or Home Depot or Lowes or Ace or CVS or Walgreens or Wal-Mart or anywhere to get a coffee or a meal you see people.  Even with a mask on and separated by 6 feet you can greet them.  Many people are living their lives completely isolated apart from brief visits to stores such as these. I am sure hearing you greet them would be a wonderful gift.  You can be a welcoming voice anywhere or at any time.  Maybe you will have an opportunity to do something for a friend or neighbor, so that he or she knows they are loved and cared for.  Making phone calls, sending messages are ways you show you care, and that God cares for them. 
  What have you received from God that has helped you in your life?  Who or what has helped you?  When you have felt crushed by the circumstances of life who has helped you to get back on your journey with and to God.  God has always held out his (or her!) hand to you, but we know that people often turn away from responding to God.  Sometimes you need a person or an event to bring you back.  When someone or something does that you can call it evangelism.  Maybe you have been the evangelist for someone, to help them, or to encourage them, to reassure them that God loves them, has always loved them, and will always love them.  Your willingness to “Go local” might have been the encouragement that a person needed that day.  God continues to call you to be an evangelist.  You may not like the word, but you can rephrase it and say God is calling you to share by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.   How will you do it?  God will help you when you ask.  Will you do it?  I hope you will answer, “I will with God’s help” How often will you ask God? I hope you will say, “Each day of my life,” as the answer.   Only you know how you will respond, but I hope it will be, “I will, with God’s help.”    Amen