The Reading
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 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 they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
TheSermon
When
Sherry and I were considering a move to my hometown I wondered about
how I would be received. I had been gone for forty years. I had been
a sixteen year old who did the things that teenagers do and I was
hopeful that upon our return people would see me in a new light.
Well, they pretty much didn't remember me at all. What a relief!
In this
gospel passage Jesus makes a big impression in the temple until the
people figure out who he is. He is just the carpenter Joseph's son.
Why should they listen to him. They had no faith in his healing
power or in his wisdom and because of this lack of faith, healing was
diminished and his wisdom fell on deaf ears. Jesus had a big
following practically wherever he went...except here. This was a
place where people judged him differently because of his humble
beginnings and they couldn't get beyond it. It was their loss.
This
experience did not stop Jesus. He was firm in his mission to bring
the Good News to whoever would listen. He even sent his disciples
out with this mission to spread this good news and he told them when
they faced rejection, to move on and not be disturbed.
That
message holds true for us today. We are called to evangelize as
well. The Good News is still the same good news and there are plenty
of people out there who are ready, sometimes desperate to hear that
message. When you and I go out and talk about our faith we will be
scorned by some but we will be welcomed by many.
Spreading
the good news of salvation is not about us and the possibility that
our feelings might get hurt. We are part of a much bigger picture.
God's mission is to give salvation to his people. Our mission is to
spread God's Word.
Amen
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