The prophets of God speak with both conviction and compassion. Because
prophetic words can threaten the security of even the most devout
people, prophets are seldom popular in the church or in society as a
whole. Yet in baptism, each Christian is made a prophet, one who
speaks on behalf of God in this time and place. Finding strength in
God's grace, we are able to offer our merciful words and actions on
behalf of all those who suffer in our world.
At home and abroad, Jesus and his disciples encounter resistance as
they seek to proclaim God's word and relieve affliction.
We all have a hometown - the place where we spent time growing up,
coming of age, discovering who we were meant to be. For some of us it
was a wonderful experience; for others, the memories of that time and
place are difficult and painful. If you left that place, you know it
is never quite the same when you return. Sometimes welcomes are warm
and wonderful, other returns are met with blank stares or perhaps even
hostility.
"Jesus came to his hometown." People there are incredulous, even
taking offense at him. Jesus invokes the old saying regarding prophets
and their hometown welcomes. Because of the lack of hospitality, Jesus
is unable to do much there at all. You will experience those kinds of
days, Jesus advises the disciples. Just shake the dust off your feet
and move on.
Who would not want a visit from Jesus? Are we ready to welcome him,
however and in whomever he may come to us? Are we ready with
hospitality for those who are ready to return to us, even if for the
first time? God welcomes us home in the waters of baptism. God
welcomes us with the outstretched arms of the Son hanging on the cross
that all might be able to go home and hear that one is always welcome
in the house of God.
What's that? You do not believe that you can ever go home again? Paul
reminds us that God's grace is sufficient even for the likes of
sinners (2 Cor 12.9). Come home and discover not only who you have
become but who God intends you to be, a member of the body of Christ,
a child of the heavenly Father, a worker in the kingdom of God.
Our Lutheran Book of Worship has propers for a National Holiday which
might be appropriate for July 4 or transferred to the 6th this year.
Prayer of the Day
Lord of the nations, guide our people by your Spirit to go forward in
justice and freedom. Give us what outward prosperity may be your will,
but above all things give us faith in you, that our nation may bring
glory to your name and blessings to all peoples; through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms and Lessons
Psalm 20 We will call upon the name of the Lord our God (v.7);
Jeremiah 29.4-14; Romans 13.1-10; Mark 12.13-17
Verse
Alleluia. If any serve me, the Father will honor them. Alleluia. (John
12.26)
Offertory
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all
cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all
people, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens
together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven (Ps
148.9-13).
Color
of the season
I had the blessing of being assigned to my "home town" where I grew
up. My parents were elderly and I wanted to be close to them as their
health declinded. Most, if not all, members of the parish were most
open to having me as their pastor. Those older remembered the little
kid growing up. The best Sunday was when these readings were read and
I used them to call out the names of the people on the block and I
said, "I had too many mothers when I grew up!" You remember ...... and
..... The gospel came alive for them and for me in a way it never
could other wise. People look for leadership from another place. An
expert is someone who lives 50 miles from you! Pax, priest in Iowa
I know it's early... but thought I'd pass this on... in the "what it's
worth file".... (I posted it at the "tail end" of last weeks postings
but wanted to pass it on!)
Here is another "Answered Prayer"... we preacher types don't make the
"Big bucks"... pretty much paycheck to paycheck... although most
tithe.
Here is one for the books...
A parishoner of mine left his keys in his van one night, parked
outside of his bedroom window in his driveway... he lives on the edge
of our "Fair City"... in the morning he saw that it was stolen.
Through his deep depression beating himself up for having done such a
foolish thing... he prayed for peace, prayed for whoever took it...
that he might enjoy it, but return it safely.
A week passed, no van returned, police doubted they'd EVER find it...
2 weeks passed, began to finally sleep at night, his prayers
continued.
3 weeks passed, he had accepted that the van was gone for good, his
prayers continued.
One month and 3 days after it was taken, a local "garage" called, they
had impounded his vehicle one month ago and were only NOW trying to
find the owner because after 30 days... they could now sell it as an
"abandoned vehicle".
He was to pay $600 to retrieve his own vehicle... the VAn was worth
about $8,000 and only had liability on it.
This man is somewhat a grandfather to my kids... helps each one with
mudflaps... and other incidental repairs... my daughter's car was his
next project. IT's sat motionless for almost a year... finally he
asked if I could have it towed to a mechanic he knew and HE'D pay for
the repair of it.
As his wife said, "When God answers prayer, he feels it's only right
to 'PASS ON THAT JOY' by answering someone else's prayer on God's
behalf!"
Thought that'd preach... somewhere, some time...
With prayers of thanks,
pulpitt in ND
Strange for me to post earlier than Saturday night, but will be at the
hospital all week and can never get much done there, and it is my
Sunday to preach.
I currently work with Juvenile Delenquents. Iknow I just spelled that
wrong..ooops. anyway. I teach juveniles in Jail. Many of them think
through things while in jail. Some get sent to TYC...State School.
While gone for a minimum of 9 months, they have lots of time to think.
The problem is that they go home eventually. Back to the same home,
the same friends, the same life they came from. Still no money, no
encouragement for education, and no "reason" to be different from
everyone in their lives. When we leave our "home town" and change,
people don't know us so well. So when we return home, it is to stories
and sometimes expectations, that we will be who we always were when we
were there. It is hard for folks to understand change that they don't
have a part in creating. Sometimes it is hard to go home. Not sure
where to go with all this, just early thoughts. Looking forward to all
of you this week! TAmmy in Texas
In the Episcopal Church's lectionary, we will read only the first half
of this pericope this week and vv. 7-13 next week -- and thus, we will
be out of sync with the RCL for several weeks to follow. I wish the
BCP lectionary had not divided this lesson as it seems to be the story
of Jesus NOT doing works of power in his hometown and the disciples
doing deeds of healing, etc., in other towns naturally fit
together.... the first shows the power of preconceptions and
disbelief; the second, of willingness to accept the ministry of
others, even strangers.
Blessings, Eric in OH
Another Barbara Brown Taylor sermon from Bread of Angels, entitled
"Sapping God's Strength" is on this gospel lesson. Excerpt: "We are
the religious people, whose religion can get in our way. We are Jesus'
hometown kin, who do not always honor him. The biggest truth this
story tells us is thast the community of faith is one of Jesus'
toughest audiences, especially when what he says offends us. We have
our own channels of power clearly marked and we are suspicious of
people who operate outside of them. We believe we know what is right
and what is wrong and we do not welcome anyone who challenges our
beliefs. And yet God is dedicated to doing just that, because it is
the only way to get us to believe in God more than we believe in our
own beliefs. Jesus was not the only one God sent to shake us up. God
is always sending us poeple to disturb us--to wake us up, to yank our
chains, to set us on fire--because about the worst thing that can
happen to us, religiously speaking, is for us to hold perfectly still
without changing a thing until we turn into fossils. God is not behind
us, holding us back. God is ahead of us, calling us forward. God is
all around us, speaking to us through the most unlikely people.
Sometimes it is a mysterious stranger, but more often, I suspect, it
is people so familiar to us that we simply overlook them--our own
children and parents, our own friends and neighbors--all of those
hometown prophets who challenge us and love us and tell us who we are.
The closer they are to us, the less likely we are to hear them, but
what a waste of God's resources, to ignore those who know us best."
Sara in GR, MI
"Decaf or Regular" is the question waitresses or waiters ask when you
order coffee. In Spanish, the word for decaf is caffiene sin caffiene
or in English coffee without coffee. When we put in our order for
religion do we want regular or decaf? The answer to that question is
related to today's scripture lesson. When people believed in Jesus, he
had great power to heal and perform miracles. In his home town where
people questioned his credentials, he still had the power to heal but
found it fruitless to do so on the scale that he had performed
elsewhere. It seems to me that we order regular of decaf Christianity
according to our investment of faith. TN Mack
Two thoughts (I'm usually a drop-in lurker here, but actually added
something last Sat night -- but VERY late): One -- Jane Fonda, in "On
Golden Pond" is talking to her mother (the wonderful Katherine
Hepburn) about how difficult it is for her to return to see her
parents as she and her father do not get along well. "I'm in charge of
L.A., but I'll always be a little fat girl on Golden Pond." I find
when I return to my home and my parent, I become to some extend the
little girl again in that household. That may have been the human part
of Jesus' experience. It isn't always just in the perceptions of those
around us, but sometimes in ourselves.
Two: concerning last week's passage, in Mark for Everyone by Tom
Wright, he says: "...was it Jesus' power that rescued the woman, or
her own faith? Clearly it was Jesus' power; but he says, 'Your faith
has rexcued you.' The answer must be that faith, thought itself
powerless, is the channel through which Jesus' power can work."
It feels like that comment would fit here as well, that the channel of
faith was certainly blocked with a lot of plack and unbelief.
MM
Did the people find Jesus offensive because their minds were closed?
He had a new message, new approach, but they could not get beyond the
old ways, old understandings. Do we miss God's word because our minds
are closed? I was well received both times I preached in my home
church. However I have encountered people who refuse to think I have
anything worth saying because I am a woman and ministers are suppposed
to be men....revjaw
Two by two, no bread, no bag, no money, sandals and only one layer of
clothing. This is a great opportunity for getting to know people by
matching them up with another. Could use orders of service with paired
symbols, ask that twos sit together or have numbers on pews. No bread?
Morning tea without flour based products (maybe fruit instead). No bag
or money - empty your pockets/purse and put it all in supllied paper
bags. Sandals. Untie/ undo or take off your shoes at some point in the
sermon. your shoes. One layer of clothing - think what item (at home)
might go into the charity second hand clothing bin. Staff could be a
bookmark. (Thy rod and staff they comfort me.)
There is a reason for the definition of an "expert" as being anyone
who is more than 20 miles from home and carrying a briefcase. People
tend to devalue the familiar. "Oh, that's just Mary's kid, Jesus.
Remember when He used to run around the square like a maniac?" I am in
the first month of a new appointment and it is amazing how much
authority I have with the new congregation. I pray I am able to make
good use of it while it lasts<g> Pastor Rick in Fl
Gee Eric in OH this passage is hard enough to preach on as it is,
dividing it into two parts makes it even harder. At first glance the
passages do not seem related.
I've heard so many preachers preach on this passage and they always
tell some cheezy story about preaching at home, or how aunt betty just
couldn't hear the gospel from that nephew who got kicked out of Sunday
School for being a kid. I've been guilty as well (for both the cheezy
stories and getting kicked out of Sunday School)
I think the text is problematic. It says when the people heard him
they were amazed and they wondered how he performed miracles and then
it says he was not able to perform miracles, except healing a few sick
people. Did he or did he not do miracles there? Or is healing a sick
person an easy miracle to do? Or is it unimportant? Not if you are the
one who was sick!
Verse five is extreemly interesting. He (Jesus) was not able to
perform...Theologically this is difficult. Matthew corrects it with,
Because they had no faith, Jesus didn't do many miracles. This is
easier to square. Mark's version sounds like the faith healer who
demands only believers in the tent! Miracles can only happen if all
believe which becomes a convienient excuse if miracles don't happen.
I think the story is all about faith. The story is sanwiched in
between Jesus telling a bleeding woman her faith made her well,
telling a desperate father not to fear but only believe, and sending
out the disciples, packing light and going where they are welcome and
where folks listen to them and perhaps beleive (faith) in them. (Maybe
they are related after all.)
In the book Ghost Soldiers, Hampton Sides talks of men dying on the
Battan death march of "give-up-itus" where they simply quit believing
they could live any longer.
Most of the miracles in Mark are "faith" stories. The real miracle is
faith, the point, the reason for the miracle, is to instill or confirm
faith. For Jesus faith was a given hence verse six, He was greatly
surprised, because the people did not have faith!
SC Bob
Yesterday, I reread this passage and felt within me a strong, damning
connection to those Nazarenes who tried to discredit Jesus' ministry.
Just before reading the passage, I did a search on the internet for
one of my friends whom I knew in college and seminary. We are both in
our early-to mid thirties and are pastoring our third churches.
However, with a weekly worship attendance of over two and a half
thousand, his latest church happens to be one of the largest in the
denomination.. He has a syndicated radio program and gives God the
credit for one success after another.
My jealousy (or is it envy?) swept over me in waves. First I thought,
"Oh, if they only knew the real guy!" Then, "What's the big deal? I
preach as well as he does, I think." Third, "He was always so smug and
so perfect; I hate that." And then there was the line familiar to
those of us with steeple envy: "He must be more concerned with
attracting numbers than doing the kind of REAL ministry of us serious
pastors."
I do not yet know how this reflection of my jealousy will help my
congregation digest this passage. But, just among us DPSers, let me
tell you, I'm feeling a bit Nazarene.
DSS
I was reading this passage along with the 2 Samuel 5 passage about the
people flocking to David to make him king.... and it being our biggest
National-istic holiday weekend, the theme or question of "pledging
allegiance" came to mind. Perhaps we Christians ought to be at least
uncomfortable and maybe downright upset about the blending, mixing,
manipulating, muddying up of the distinction between our loyalty to
Christ and to country. We see/hear so much religious media that
promotes America as God's nation and so on. I love this country, but
it is led by fallible human beings who need not be expressly Christian
to be good leaders. I cringe when a president ends a speech with "God
Bless America!" as if to exclude other nations. I want some brave
leader to say "God bless the world". Our highter allegiance is to
Christ and the infallible power and love of God. Many emporers, kings
and other rulers have used and misused CHristianity for political
purposes - and it can happen here and now. This whole subject is a
touchy one, especially in the face of the Iraq Invasion and occupation
- or is it the "showdown in the desert? I support our troops - we even
have a board in the sanctuary with names and photos of current service
personnel with a candle before it we light in worship. But we must be
able to question the country we love, and we must ask where our
greater loyalty lies at times. It seems that the people of Jesus' home
town were so sure of what they knew and trusted that they couldn't
question their provincial assumptions and find a larger or greater
belief. It is scary to see how easily and willingly the people gave
all authority to rule to David. Remember that when the people wanted a
king, so they could be like other nations, Samuel resisted but finally
gave in and annointed Saul. Samuel felt that God was the only king
they needed. Anyway, to go down this path requires much thought and
care. Jim in CT.
If Jesus' disciples had sandles covered with dust, I think there are
many of us today who call ourselves "Christians" Followers of Jesus
who have our entire beings covered with dust! We are just "Dusty Ole'
Disciples".
In the study book I used during Lent, I've missplaced it now and
forgoten the name, but will keep looking - he, the author states that
Dust is a metaphore to describe our Discipleship. And some dust, as he
has classified it, is better gotten rid of than kept.
1Consequential dust - the constant companion throughout the day -
things we can do nothing about.
2Catastrophic dust - this dust must be dealt with or it will poison
our system.
3Neglected dust - if this kind is left too long it will mar the
original surface.
It reminds me of the Serenity Prayer.
jmj in MT
If Jesus' disciples had sandles covered with dust, I think there are
many of us today who call ourselves "Christians" Followers of Jesus
who have our entire beings covered with dust! We are just "Dusty Ole'
Disciples".
In the study book I used during Lent, I've missplaced it now and
forgoten the name, but will keep looking - he, the author states that
Dust is a metaphore to describe our Discipleship. And some dust, as he
has classified it, is better gotten rid of than kept.
1Consequential dust - the constant companion throughout the day -
things we can do nothing about.
2Catastrophic dust - this dust must be dealt with or it will poison
our system.
3Neglected dust - if this kind is left too long it will mar the
original surface.
It reminds me of the Serenity Prayer.
jmj in MT
I am preaching this week in my home town and in my home parish, pray
for me please. I was thinking about using the second part of Jesus
message but somehow that seems too easy and I think I may be not
listening well enough for what God would have me say.
jmj in MT ... your comment about kinds of dust reminded me of a sermon
I preached two years ago entitled "The Witness of Dust" ... it was on
the Lukan version of this story, not this particular text, but it
might be helpful to those of you who have this text to preach this
week (I don't, as mentioned above).
Blessings, Eric in OH
Dear Co-ministers of the word, What an interesting passage for this
Sunday as this will be my first Sunday in a new appointment. "If any
place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave,
shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."
(-: So I am working on how this will speak to new people in a new
"place." Any suggestions? Shalom, Rev. Nancy in NE
Dear Nancy, A couple fo thoughts on this passage. The word is for all
Christians and those that do not hear can be clergy as well. (There
have been some interesting dust fights in the past as to who is really
not hearing God.) I like the reminder of Jesus to stay until you leave
- be really present with the people that you are with.
The best part of the passage is that Jesus links us up - it's not the
individualism of our current society that is to be our framework but
at least another brother or sister in Christ who is alongside us. I
pray that you find that sort of person in your church as well.
Blessings upon your first service - sounds like they've got a caring
and sensitive pastor. Petereo.
Some thoughts - those who preach for a response (hopefully all of us).
Response to Jesus, to His disciples, how He responds, how His
disciples were to respond - how we and others respond. It reminds me
of something I read on preaching years ago - don't worry about people
not responding or responding - that is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Just do it! Go, spread the seeds and let them fall where they will. BF
- S. FL
My angle this Sunday probably will be to examine our concept of
ordinary people doing extraordinary ministry through faith.
While we often like to see the hometown hero do well and remember us
when he/she's reached the top (eg. David becoming king), many times we
are amazed that the person we knew way back when --the quiet guy
sitting in the back row of math class; the tall, lanky girl no one
wanted at the dance; the class bully-- turned out so well.
Likewise, the people were amazed that Jesus had so much wisdom and
power. It was as if he were a completely different person than the one
whom they thought they knew. They had already set their boundaries and
expectations upon Jesus.
Likewise, I imagine no one thought the disciples would do anything
great either. Yet, Jesus has faith in them. He sends them into the
world to perform his ministry. The disciples are beginning to realize
that there are no limitations with what God can do with a person.
This is the challenge of faith to us: can God use us ordinary, average
people to do extraordinary things? We celebrate communion this Sunday,
which is a wonderful example of God using ordinary elements of the
world for a sacred purpose.
DSS
My homiletics prof always reminded us of the importance of context in
preaching -- know the people you are preaching to. Good advice. This
text reminds me of the stress around preaching in seminary to my
classmates and profs -- it was an entirely different preaching
encounter because of the context. Somehow scrutiny plays into it, and
the word becomes blurred by performance, because it's more of a
"show-and-tell" kind of phenomenon than a holy one.
On the other hand, I heard many inspiring sermons from classmates who
probably felt equally stressed out by the context...I don't know, but
there's something happening in the text around the fine line between
scrutiny and openness....
SueCan
One brief comment before reading others. My sermon title is "Moving
On". I plan to talk about Jesus moving on from Nazareth to places
where he could be more effective. Also, his advice to his disciples to
move on if they aren't being welcomed. And somehow we need to hear the
message to move on if we aren't in effective ministries. Keep doing
what works and move on when it doesn't. There's no shame to stopping a
ministry that isn't well received.
Early thoughts for midweek.
Pam in San Bernardino
Comment number two:
On of the reasons I'm focusing on moving on rather than Jesus not
being respected in his home town is that I serve my "home church". I
don't want them to think I'm telling my own story or trying to put
myself in Jesus place.
My own story doesn't fit what happened to Jesus in this one anyway.
I've been loved and accepted as pastor even though they knew me when.
God's grace in action.
Pam in San Bernardino
Is anyone else preaching on the Independence Day Propers? (Deut.
10:17-21; Heb.11:8-16; Matt.5:43-48) I too have reservations about
bluring the lines between patriotism and religion. With the war in
Iraq, my congregation will burst if I don't observe this national
day....so....I may expand the gospel reading to include vss. 38-48. It
seems to me that Jesus is offering a new sort of justice, one that is
creative, healing, and restorative. The Israelites saw themselves as
God's chosen people...a favored nation. And don't most Americans think
of themselves the same way? But God's intention is not to favor Israel
or America at the expense of other nations. Israel was in this special
relationship to God in order that it might be a light to all the
nations...and that all humankind might be blessed through them. Yes,
America has been greatly blessed...with unprecedented freedom, with
great resources, both natural and human. The point: from those to whom
much has been given, much is expected. Freedom does not come without
responsibilitiy, as my mother was fond of saying when I was a child.
Lady Liberty lifts her light beside our shores to welcome the tired,
poor, huddled masses....a beautifully idealized image....but how does
that play out in reality? We as Christians are called to a new sort of
justice. Somehow this weaves into the "liberty and justice for all" of
our nation's pledge.
This is still a long way from being focused. Anyone have insights of
their own to share?
SueGA
Here's a thought: what if it wasn't really about his being in his
hometown, after all? What if it was about their using the EXCUSE that
their problem with his prophetic teaching was because he was Jesus,
the son of Mary and the brother of Joses and James. I had a guy in a
Bible study I led once who told me over and over again that I wasn't
old enough to know what he did about the Bible. Seldom as bluntly as
this guy, I've heard over and over again that I'm young, and I
couldn't know how life really is. It was for this reason I was so glad
to turn 40 - and STILL I'm the youngster in the church I serve.
This same guy kept telling me I couldn't know about the old South
because I'm originally from the North. He was the only one who voiced
it like that, but I'd heard that same thing often in my first
appointment in very (and I do mean VERY) rural Georgia.
See, I have a hunch it's not about where you're from; what it's really
about is prophetic teaching and preaching. People don't take kindly to
anything that upsets the status quo. But, if that's so, then it
puzzles me why Jesus would say, "Prophets are not without honor except
in their hometowns ..."
Sally in GA
I should follow that up - I was asking a RHETORICAL question only. We
CAN'T tell the prophets from the crackpots, at least not very
accurately.
Sally
I'll answer my own rhetorical question:
prophets are cracked pots
crackpots are just crackpots.
Sally
HELP! I am a UCC moderator who occasionally subs for the pastor. I
already have some ideas about some women gossiping (sp?) at the river
washing clothes and berating Mary and Joe's kid and his rag tag band
and the Pharisees complaining about how they a great gig with the
hundreds of laws and then some concern with the Big Ten and now the
Big Two threatens to put them out of business. But I have a serious
problem with Jesus' saying that the disciples should ignore the folks
who refuse to hear them. Isn't that a complete turn around from caring
more for the lost sheep, for hanging our with the dregs of society,
etc.?
I'd appreciate some comment from those of you who have the theologic
training.
Peace,
Moderator Dave in WI
Where do we get the authority and wisdom to do what we do?
I too, think that Mark is drawing a contrast here between Jesus and
the disciples, and the fact that our ministries in the Christian faith
are so similar to our Lord's.
I am not extraordinary. Far from it. In fact I regard myself as
"extra" ordinary. I have no special qualities other than I think, that
I am prepared to use what I have to the purpose of revealing to
others, God's image in me.
Most people only ever see my earthly existence. They see my
human-ness, but how many truly see my divinity. How many of us truly
see the divine in each other? How many in our churches regard each
other as divine?
We are so focussed on the human frailty of each other, we fail to
appreciate that which is absolutely precious in each of us. The image
of God, and our ability to love because of that image. We are so ready
to condemn each others faults, that we fail to fully appreciate
goodness in one another.
I see it in my children. They have so much trouble complimenting one
another. It is far more often, "you did'nt do that very well", etc,
etc.
This passage is about being true to myself. All the baggage and
securities I wrap around myself to somehow be someone or something I
am not. To protect myself from the criticism and the pain of not being
appreciated.
Jesus effectively reminds us that we are to leave them, and walk
confident in the person that God knows we are. To preach the gospel is
not necessarily about words. To perform miracles is not necessarily
about healing from illness.
Jesus, also reminds us that if our own families and friends are unable
to see the divinity within us, then we are not being prophetic; (ie,
revealing the message of God's love). To be honoured in one's home
town is the greatest honour, because these are the people who are not
taken in by the superficiality of much of our expression of faith. As
preacher's we know how easy it is to pretend that we know. Jesus seeks
his disciples to be true to themselves and in so doing they are true
to God.
To be recognised as holy in one's home town, indicates a level of
genuineness that surpasses, all the hype and hoopla for much of what
passes as Christianity today.
I would like to add, that I like Eric in OH's sermon, and the analogy
he draws from the fact that we are all dust, and to dust we shall
return.
We are dust, revealing to other dust, which way the spirit will blow.
Isn't that the reality of ministry. The journey through life, is
simply a movement of dust. We have lots of dust in Australia.
Sometimes it covers whole cities.
And when something is not determined as being genuine in this country,
we regard it as "bull-dust".
Regards everyone. Thanks again for the space.
KGB in Aussie.
Dave in WI, I think the moving on or "ignoring" those (we have to be
careful how we interpret - which words we put in the author's mouth)
who won't hear them means more like - don't let them stop you,
discourage you, or dissuade you. All we can really do is witness, to
act out of and speak out of what we truly believe - all else we do has
little impact adn may be interesting , but trivial. THis goes for the
disciples witnessing among the villages, and it goes for you and me in
the pulpit, the office, the classroom, the store, at home, etc. The
sense of Jesus' instruction may be mnore about knowing that some will
not be receptive, and not despising them or giving up, but just moving
along... maybe they will hear and see with some future encounter or
witness. Grace always trumps rejection, betrayal, even death - as the
disciples would learn after the resurrection. That's my belief,
anyway. JIm in CT.
"Oh no! Kryptonite!!! The first part of this passage reminded me of
the only thing that could stop Superman, a piece of his home planet
Krypton....Kryptonite. When in the presence of this piece of home, all
the powers he had in his adopted home were drained out of him. He was
helpless to use his powers.
Sort of like the only thing that can get in the way of God's power is
unwillingness to live by faith, a refusal to accept God's Word, and
live by God's grace. Natually, and unlike the man of steel, the God of
love and grace allows us to have this power over his Word, allows us
to choose whether his power will work in our lives or be powerless.
As with Superman, God does not stay in the presence of spiritual
Kryptonite, God moves on, shaking his sandals at those who choose not
to see him as God.
At the risk of pushing a point tooo far, one thing about Superman that
always bugged me was that no one recognized Clark Kent. Come on, lets
face it, a pair of glasses doesnt really hide that much. Now that I am
older, the reason they could not recogize superman in Clark was they
were looking through the lens of expectations and judgement. Clark was
after all the mild-mannered reporter and Superman was, well super.
Those who opposed Jesus could not see the Super Messiah through the,
for the most part, mild mannered carpenters kid.
ApolloGuy in Tx
With all of these ruminations about dust and recognition and movement
of the spirit - I also wonder about what the disciples were feeling as
they were sent off. They were being asked to be prophets - and what
was that like knowing that they may not be very popluar.
having grown up in the suburbs I remember what it was like to have s
much importance placed on popularity - and I still recognize that in
my congregation - in my community - even in myself. Is that dust that
we need to shake off too?
eb in mn
I can't say this publicly, but I would hate to spend any time in my
home church. When I was a probationer (preparing for ordination), my
peer group visited each other's charges. Someone in my group was
serving as an associate at my home church, in which I hadn't stepped
foot for a very long time. The older people there know me as the child
of my parents. They had a new library, which was graced with a large
portrait of the pastor who'd served the church during my youth. He was
a great guy, but I recalled the struggles that had marked his
ministry. The place was "haunted" -- with good ghosts and bad. The
woman who was my high school girlfriend still attends there. I was
reminded of wonderful experiences, and of political struggle. Things
that shaped me in ways that were nurturing, things that made me decide
as a high school senior that I didn't want to be a pastor after all.
If I were to speak at my home church, I might enjoy credibility among
the newer people. But, those who have been there for a while and
remember me, or who simply associate me with my parents and siblings,
no matter how kind and nice they might be, would regard me as too
ordinary, too familiar. They'd probably consider it "nice" that I'd
come home to speak, but they wouldn't hear the message.
I cannot tell that story to my present congregation; there are too
many ties to my home church. But, I'm thankful that pastors in my
denomination are not appointed to the churches in which they were
raised. MTSOfan
Dave in WI - your question makes a good entry point for my sermon. It
reminds me of the UM appointment system - I had a struggle in my first
appointment. You put a Yankee city slicker like me in a very rural Ga
ghost town, and you can draw your own conclusions. That's not even
addressing the woman clergy issue (they were agin' it)! Add to that my
being VERY green ... you get the idea.
The message I got from those trying to help was that it was my job to
find a way to relate - to bloom where I was planted, so to speak. I
did my best, I really did, and most of the mistakes I made (and there
were plenty) were just from my being so wet behind the ears, but the
hostility just mounted until one fateful week. I stuck it out for 2
years, and most of what I remember of that time is "sticking it out,"
My next appointment - still rural, but not a ghost town, and with many
Yankee, suburbanite transplants, was a complete 180. It'd be hard to
tell that I was even the same person!
When DO we move on? When DO we stay and find a way to relate?
In our changing community, the question is re-cast. Can we offer
people who are different from us the good news? How different is too
different? When do we stay, and when do we go? - Wesley's words "never
stay in any place longer than is absolutely necessary" come to mind.
BTW: About a month ago - I was called back to my first appointment to
do a funeral. There was this man there who never liked any preacher he
ever met except me. I think it was because I simply offered him the
grace of Christ without having to "talk sense into him." I comforted
him through his wife's illness and death and I was the one who
connected with him. All the guys who got along so well at that
appointment missed this particular sheep. Yet, I, the outcast,
connected with him.
Sally in GA
I think I see this pericope as being about "connection." Sometimes you
do and sometimes you don't. I know plenty of times when the adage
holds true "You can't go home again." And then again, there are plenty
of times when "there's no place like home." Sometimes we're just too
close to the situation - like, our spouses probably wouldn't consider
that they have a pastor; we're too close for comfort.
On the other hand, sometimes we're just too far away. I like what Rick
Warren said years ago in "The Purpose Driven Church," that there is
nothing wrong with not being able to relate to a particular
congregation. Sometimes there's just not enough similarity to have the
same outlook on life.
In this changing neighborhood, I and many in my congregation are,
searching for common ground. I visit some folks and they look at me
like, "aren't you a good little white liberal?" and others are very
inviting. God bless them all; maybe someone else will present the
message in a way they can here.
Sally
Well, I am one who began at least a part of my ministry at my home
church, from which I had been absent for about a decade. The first
sermon I preached there was kinda weak (I even knew that at the time
-- just couldn't figure out how to fix it, LOL) ... and the response I
got from the older parishioners included, "You looked so cute up
there!" and "Oh, I remember when you were the Blessed Virgin Mary in
the Christmas pageant." Ummmm ... not what I was wishing for,
naturally. But then again, that same day there were a few people who
heard something that they needed to hear in the mess of that sermon. ~SqueezeVT
Hey Moderator Dave, don't I know you? How about this: there are a lot
of people who need to hear the gospel and as Jesus said, "Let those
who have ears, hear." Some may never hear. Some may in their own time.
I have a fundamentalist cousin and I could talk until I'm blue in the
face and she will never, ever get what I'm trying to
say....personally, I think some had closed their minds to anything new
and different, especially from a hometown kid who should know "that
we've always done it this way"...any similarities to the church.
Radical UCC revjaw
