The Third Sunday after Epiphany, 24 January 2021

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, 24 January 2021 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 62:6-14 I Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 The Collect Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Background: Asceticism In today’s Gospel reading, disciples called by Jesus “left everything and followed him”, and in the sermon we call Jonah, Nineveh, its leaders, and people, leave everything, proclaim a fast and believe God. Asceticism is not peculiar to just Judaism or Christianity. It is known amongst Buddhists, Jainists, Hindus, and in Islam as well. What is given up is widely varied as well, sex, certain foods, relationships, speech, even shelter itself. This ascetic attitude is especially helpful to the disciple – the Greek word that it