The Price of Fame.....

“A Death In The Family”

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

 The Price of Fame

            There is a price to fame. Fame means paparazzi. It means people following you, people recognizing you. It means that people in power might recognize you. And it means they might listen to you. And then, you might be unliked, or even despised.

Ask John. He’s a bit of an odd duck, but he’s loud, and people start paying attention to him. And he speaks about Herod, which Herod hears and listens to, at least because it comes from John. Of course, John pays the price with his head on a silver platter. John, the one that people think Jesus might be, dies because he calls out the ruling powers on their morality. Sound familiar?

Jesus starts to get famous. It’s why people wonder if he isn’t John, after all, or if he isn’t a prophet, or if he isn’t Elijah. And that just can’t be. After all, he’s Mary and Joseph’s boy. He’s Jesus from Midway Court, or Boyton Street. He can’t be that, can he? He can’t be, because we won’t let him be. We know him better than that. 

So what happens when we go out to tell the story? Are we willing to say that we’re with the famous guy? Do we want to be famous? Are we willing to take what comes with fame? Or are we willing to be known for the sake of the Gospel?

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy Jesus, you sent many into the world to proclaim your kingdom on  earth. Send us, equip us, and walk with us so that everyone can learn of your abundant love. Amen.