Called to Serve

The Gospel of Mark tells the story of Jesus' charge to the twelve disciples.  Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, and he pointed out the rigorous conditions of their mission.  He charged them to "shake off the dust" of any place where their testimony refused to be heard.  Christ's followers were to live a simple life, enhancing the moral quality of their message.  Jesus said, "Take nothing for your journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money.… Wear sandals and just one tunic."  At the same time, they were called to cast out demons and to anoint and heal the sick. 

The message Jesus gave to his disciples not only reflected a moral imperative but even more, it proclaimed limitless hope for those able to hear it.  Live simply; travel light.

The disciples went forth with a walking stick, the clothes on their backs and the sandals on their feet.  Not only did they leave their homes but wherever they went they had to be ready to leave where they were not welcomed.  How would we feel under such circumstances?  Mark does not tell us how the disciples felt, only that they were able to accomplish two things: first, "proclaim that all should repent," and second, "cast out demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them."  As it was in Jesus’ time so today it does not take a lot of baggage to proclaim in word and deed the good news of God's kingdom.

We are living in a time of tremendous economic inequality.  Poverty and homelessness are sad and troubling realities especially in a country of abundance.  There are many people who have known both the peaks of affluence and the valleys of lost income because of unemployment due to circumstances beyond their control.  In our capitalist system the stock market rises and falls dramatically with the ebb and flow of global markets.  A company merges with another and restructuring results in layoffs.  Long-term employees find themselves suddenly out of work with reduced or even lost pensions. 

For many who have been laid off it is not long before unemployment benefits run out and no job is in sight.  As a result a cherished relationship might break up, or a serious illness could happen without warning.  On the other hand there are times for a few lucky people when a new relationship develops, a promotion comes along, or a new employment opportunity emerges.

What is important in these peaks and valleys of our lives is how we are able to cope with them and respond to others in both their good and bad fortunes.  Jesus ordered his disciples “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.” This model of the disciples in choosing a simple lifestyle and being flexible in responding to circumstances beyond their control can help us to live gracefully as we ride the tides of change in our own lives. 

The powerful and marvelous word of God, and the example of Jesus and his disciples demands our response.  The disciples are called, as is everyone who is baptized, to stand firm in proclaiming the Good News supported by the knowledge that it is the Lord who speaks. To have "authority over unclean spirits" is to be involved in casting out the demons in the issues of our lives that need change.  It is accomplished by helping people to turn toward and enter into relationship with the One who is already in relationship with them.  It is about anointing and healing the sick, caring for others and sharing God’s love and compassion.

Jesus encouraged his disciples by telling them that if they are not welcomed in a place they visit, or if "they refuse to hear you," they are to shake off the dust that is on their feet and leave.  They were to have confidence in their mission. 

A prayer by Archbishop Desmond Tutu from his book, An African Prayer Book resonates with Jesus' commission and with the blessing of praise to God's glory:

For your blessing we thank you, God;

faith in you.

Increase it, we beg, so that we no longer doubt.

Drive out all our miserliness, so that we do not refuse you anything.

Increase our faith, for the sake of those without faith.

Make us instruments of your faith, for those with only a little.

Fill our bodies with faith, our bodies that work for you all our days.

Help us to avoid the enemies of our faith, or to overcome them.

You are with us in confrontations;

this we believe.

In your hands we place ourselves, and are secure.

            Make haste to enter our hearts; make haste.

Let us renew our calling as Christians to lives of hope and joy by offering praise and glory to God.  It is our calling to reach out to others by building relationships of love and compassion for those in need.  Amen.