Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

July 5, 2015

St. Mark 6:1-13 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Brief Commentary:

Jesus is rejected by his home synagogue for healing and preaching the Kingdom – for taking a prophetic stance in solidarity with the marginalized. 

There is an ongoing struggle between the priestly church ‘taking care of its own’ and the prophetic church standing in solidarity with those in need.

Ask to rid themselves of their baggage the disciples are sent as prophetic healers depending on the hospitality of strangers.  We as God’s people, the church, better check our baggage if we are going to follow Jesus.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

6 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.² 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! ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary^[a] and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense^[b] at him. ⁴ Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” ⁵ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶ And he was amazed at their unbelief.

The Mission of the Twelve

Then he went about among the villages teaching. ⁷ He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸ He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; ⁹ but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. ¹⁰ He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. ¹¹ 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.” ¹² So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.¹³ They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

       

The Holy Ministry

        The prophet cries

        and ears grow deaf,

        apathy, indifference.

        The priest sings out

        lulls souls to sleep

        coddled, cuddled sheep.

        The hungry cry

        in the street

        longing for food to eat.

        The priest sings out.

        The people pray

        for God’s new day.

        The prophet cries

        outside the church

        muted by superficial mirth.

        The priest protects

        the flock from:

        shouts of justice, mercy’s song!

        Prophet silenced,

        priest speaks out,

        leaving people with no doubt.

        They are God’s own

        the Chosen Ones.

        “Crazy prophet go on home!”

        The church now sits on a hill

        beautiful and very still

        inside the few - God’s Chosen.

        While hunger thrives

        and people have guns

        and death is at the door.

        A Poem a Sunday - Kenn Storck

            (Published, July 1, 2015)