READ SCRIPTURE (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 Jesus 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 Jesus 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. Jesus 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.
REFLECT ON THE READING
We are the rebellious house, the ones who refuse to hear. But among us is the prophet who heals us and our sick ones nonetheless. As Mark tells the story, Jesus is reduced to utter weakness, able to do no miraculous deed of power at all when he is in his hometown, among those who presume that they know him. Except, out of that weakness he does still heal the sick, even amid all the unbelief. Then his weakness becomes the source of the sending of the Twelve and they, though they have nothing, preach and heal with power. These Markan stories are images of the cross and resurrection of Jesus: hidden in the weakness of Jesus, known and rejected in his death, is the very power of Christ, dwelling now among us in word and sacrament. Following Christ, Paul says that whenever he was weak then he was strong. Listening to this word of God, the Spirit also enters into us and we stand up. Out of our own weakness, having nothing except the gospel, we may turn to our neighbors in witness and in service.
PRAY TOGETHER
God of the covenant, in our baptism you call us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us the courage you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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