For
Sunday, July 5, 2018, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48, 2
Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13
All the tribes of Israel came to David at
Hebron, and said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh..." [2 Samuel 5:1]
As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of
the Lord of Hosts…We have waited in silence on your
loving-kindness…This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide
for evermore. [Psalm
48:7a, 8a, 13]
I know a person in Christ who…was caught up to
the third heaven – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God
knows…and heard things…that no mortal is permitted to repeat…to keep me from
being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh…I appealed to the Lord…but
he said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power in made perfect in
weakness”… Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults…for the sake of
Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12:2, 4b, 7b, 8a, 9a, 10]
Then Jesus said to [the disciples], "Prophets
are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and
in their own house"... He said to [the disciples] …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.” [Mark 6:4,10a, 11]
In our times, as
throughout history, powerful/charismatic leaders attract some ardent followers
who want to stay very close, idolize, and would even act as the bone and
flesh of the hero. Such absolute devotion by others can easily skew one's
initial humility and original intent. Some who claim political or other power and authority become more interested in the adulation and adoration than in the responsibilities of genuine leadership. They cultivate and bask in the unfettered loyalty of a few, while deliberately oppressing and persecuting others who aren't so easily beguiled. Staying modest and humble in the face of eager and constant admirers is difficult for the most sainted of humans. David had such struggles later in his life. Paul may have
recognized it in himself and accepted the thorn as a sacred reminder to be
aware of the dangers of holding deep power of persuasion over others. His monologue in this passage almost sounds as if he is reminding himself, as well as the Church at Corinth, in his repetition that he, himself, doesn't know all but God knows.
As in every life in the public eye, there are always
detractors. Jesus was his most human self in his frustration with the
hometown reaction he received, as he kept moving along, doing what he
could, where he could. Jesus called the Disciples and
sent them off two by two to do God's work. In giving them the command to shake off the dust if not welcomed and roll on, we are reminded by Jesus that our earthly time is short to get done what we are to do. We are also called to keep moving ~ together ~ shaking off the dust of the detractors and disappointment, rattling the chambers of despotic power, and rolling on to the next opportunity to offer the justice, truth, and welcome of the Gospel. Together, we can also work to keep the thorns of despair, hardship, and calamity from piercing us all the way through.
David, Paul, and Jesus were all doing the work God had given them to do and, as in every human life, some days were better than others. There are two post-Communion prayers in the US Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and both say that we are "living members" of the Body of Christ. In one, we, the pray-ers, ask God to, "Send us now into the world in peace..." and in the other to "...send us out to do the work you have given us to do..." Let us ponder, this week, what work, whose bone and flesh, and what thorns are we willing to take on? And, why? Shake, rattle, and roll on...
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE,
PRAY
Leader: ~ O Lord,
God of Hosts, You know that we are each presented with trials, troubles, and
weakness in this earthly life. Quicken our ability to recognize and accept these
thorns as grace-filled opportunities for the sake of Christ, whose power dwells
within us and gives us strength.
O
God of Loving Kindness
RESPONSE: Dissolve
our doubt, empower our faith
~
O Lord, God of Hosts, You know the hearts
and souls of us all, including those who govern in this World, this Country,
and this Community. Grant us ever-increasing fortitude and determination to persist
in speaking Your truths of love, justice, and mercy on behalf of the most
beleaguered and oppressed in our midst and around the globe. We pray especially for:
add your own petitions
O
God of Loving Kindness
Dissolve our doubt, empower our faith
~ O Lord, God of Hosts, restore hope and wholeness to all who struggle with
chronic illness, homelessness, or recovery, and infuse their supporters with energy
and endurance. We
now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
O
God of Loving Kindness
Dissolve our doubt, empower our faith
~
O Lord, God of Hosts, ease the sorrow of all
who mourn as those who now live again in You, are filled with joy in the bliss
of eternal peace. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God of Loving Kindness
Dissolve our doubt, empower our faith
~
O Lord,
God of Hosts, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
O
God of Loving Kindness
Dissolve our doubt, empower our faith
~
O Lord, God of Hosts, we continue our prayers
for the work of the General Convention of our Church, especially the deputies
of _______, as we give You thanks for all those ordained to guide us on our
journey to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God of Loving Kindness
Dissolve our doubt, empower our faith
The Celebrant adds: Almighty Creator,
our God and Guide forever, embolden our
willingness to shake off the dust of rejection and mockery when we step out in
faith and turn our lives to Christ. Let us share in his prophetic ministry and be
his bone and flesh on earth. We ask through Jesus, our Prophet and Redeemer,
and the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who together with You reign as One
God, now and forever. Amen.
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