Proper 9 Year B
Take nothing
Introduction
This week, there are two stories within the Mark gospel. In the first part of the gospel, we hear the oft-repeated "a prophet is without honor in his hometown." Though a dissertation could be written on this phrase, look instead at the second part of the gospel in which Jesus sends out his disciples. Not only does he give them authority to heal in Jesus' name, but Jesus also asks them to depend upon the largesse of those the disciples encounter for their survival. That would be most difficult to do—to set out with no plan, no resources, nothing but faith that God will provide. Could you? Feel free to comment.
Mark 6:1-13
. . . Then he [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.
From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus told you and me to go and make disciples. I wonder if sometimes we delay following his command because we think we aren’t ready. If we would just go, like the Twelve did, he would give us the ability to share the Good News with others. What do you think? Let’s go!”
Scripture: July 4, 2021—2 Samuel 5:1–5, 9–10 (image); Psalm 48 (image); Ezekiel 2:1-5 (image); Psalm 123 (image); 2 Corinthians 12:2–10 (image); and Mark 6:1–13 (image). A visual/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: Jesus charges his disciples to be vulnerable as he sends them out. The apostle Paul says that he embraces his vulnerability, “for whenever I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10c). In what ways might God be calling you to be vulnerable today?
Symbols of the Church
Medieval Europeans believed that pelicans were particularly attentive to their young, even to the point of wounding itself and letting its young drink its blood when no food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of Christ’s passion, poring out his blood for the forgiveness of sins, as well as the Eucharist.
excerpted from "8 ancient Christian symbols and their meanings" website.
Eye Candy: “Christ sending out the disciples” by James Tissot; “St Simon & St Jude, disciples” (two-by-two), icons; “St Peter healing the sick with his shadow“, fresco in Venice; "Outreach of the New Covenant" by Shin Young-Hun [scroll down—original source lost]
Ear Worm: “Every time I feel the spirit”, many ways: gospel (notice slight difference in melody); Mormon Tabernacle choir, soloist Alex Boye, arranged by Moses Hogan; children, a little jazzy.
Brain Food: “Taking nothing for the journey” by Janet Hunt; “Pack no things” by Frances Woodruff (especially for children);
Prayer for the week:
As people of faith, we are called to be prophets. Let us open our hearts and call upon our God, saying: O God, hear our prayer.
That our wounded and numbed hearts may be given hope, and that in our weakness we may be empowered by God's guiding hand, let us pray, saying: O God, hear our prayer.
That each of us may open the door to the one who knocks, let us pray, saying: O God, hear our prayer.
That as the sea transforms rock to sand, God may transform our weakness to strength, let us pray, O God, hear our prayer.
That we may be instrumental in alleviating the pains of oppression by reaching out to the poor, the homeless, and the neglected, let us pray, saying: O God, hear our prayer.
That we and all in the church may recognize the prophets in our own midst, let us pray, saying: O God, hear our prayer.
That all in any need may receive God's mercy, let us pray, saying: O God, hear our prayer.
Compassionate God, we come to you, aware that the prophet within each of us shrinks from your call. Give the courage to speak and live the word of your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
© 1988 Prayers for the Christian People, Pueblo Publishing Co.
Parables: “The Incredibles” (2004), Mr Incredible can do the job; “Oh, God!” (1977), Jesus’ rejection reflected in story manager’s; “The Cider House Rules” (1999), salute to self esteem
For families: Study guide, group activity, snacks—put snacks in a suitcase & have child “take one for the journey” when going out or coming in, kid video.
For children: activity; bulletin games; craft;
For middlers: activity; bulletin games; craft.
For youth: The series on how faith and science fit together has only four videos. So that part of summer work is over. But we're not done yet. Here's a long article written by three scientists of faith (one Christian, one Buddhist, one Muslim). For this week, look at the part of the article by Jennifer Wiseman, a Christian astrophysicist, who says:
"In Christian faith, our significance is basically given as a gift of love from God, who's responsible for the universe."
How do you feel about this statement? Write your thoughts down so when we finish the third scientist's component of the article, you can see how they are similar or not. Feel free to share it on Friends of SSSJ facebook page.
An experience common to all God’s messengers in the Bible was the rejection of their ministry and message by their own people. In today’s reading from Mark, we hear of Jesus being rejected in his home synagogue, in which he quotes the old saying about prophets among their own people. Then he sends the twelve disciples out preaching to extend his message and ministry, warning them that they also will face rejection.
Using II Samuel: The Old Testament tells of David becoming king in fact. After Saul’s death he ruled the land of the tribe of Judah. But now the people of all the tribes accept him. He conquers the city of Jerusalem and makes it his capital and extends his rule. The kingdom of David became one of the powers of the ancient Middle East.
Using Ezekiel: The first reading parallels this in God’s word to Ezekiel, sending him to a stubborn and rebellious people.
Our reading from II Corinthians is the conclusion of this letter in which, having been rejected by some of those in the Corinthian church, and having been provoked to boast of his courage and ministry, Paul then ascribes whatever virtue or success he has had to God working in him.
As we gather in liturgy, we remember that we are a part of that people whose story is the continuation of the biblical story. That story recalls not only our faithfulness, but also our rebellion. Above all, however, it recalls the fact that even at our worst God has nevertheless remained faithful to us and continues to call us into ministry and witness in the world. Will we respond at our best or at our worst? Will we reject the call or will we accept it?
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.