Focus on what matters — Pentecost VI
Focus on what matters, Jesus always reminds us.
This is not only a spiritual call to manage time and energy, but is a path to walk in one's life, gradually leading further into the greater mystery, which he tells us is Love. We can see it with the eye trained away from distractions.
So, what are the distractions? Different for each of us.
Today's reading from Mark (continuous with/from the previous several weeks of our reading): in his making the round of the villages of the western Galilee region, healing those who seek him out and proclaiming the immanence of the kingdom of God, Jesus visits his hometown.
Perhaps you have had a version of this experience?
They don't think much of him at home. 'I know you, buddy -- don't give me any of this wisdom crap. I knew you way back, and I know your mother, as well. Your whole family; and you're no different from them. Shut the heck up.' Or, something like that...
There are hints of the family situation in which Jesus - in Mark's telling, at least - may have grown up. Even hints of an insult toward his birth situation -- son of Mary, not son of Joseph (in a patriarchy, one assumed the social station of one's father, so it is telling that Jesus' neighbors don't think much of his parentage). Or, so one reading could go.
Whatever the reasons for the disdain -- too much presumed knowledge of things we assume we know all too well, so our own eyes are clouded? -- Jesus could 'do no deed of power there.' He coins a proverb, alludes to the classic rejection of the prophets in their common tradition who were always rejected when they brought a strong word of repentance to the community -- any community! -- and... then he moves on.
In fact, as he sends disciples out to continue the work in a broader fashion, he shares this wisdom with them: don't worry too much when you are rejected. Not even when rejected by those who claim to 'know you best.'
I am reminded of Jesus's words elsewhere: 'Let the dead bury the dead, but as for you: go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'
It isn't that one needs to seek out dramatic rejection in order to feel authentic in proclaiming the kingdom of God. The reading from Ezekiel makes plain that God's energy has always called and sent people to speak hard words that the community has had a difficult time accepting. Prophets are not without renown, Jesus says ironically, ...except where they are actually bringing the word of God.
Prophets in the Biblical tradition are not those who see into the future. The tradition specifically rejects that sort of attempt at magic-trick-clairvoyance. Prophets are those who are called to bring the word of truth, of judgment, of realignment to the people, and particularly to those in power. Happy 4th of July!
In other words: they are to proclaim the immanence of the kingdom of God and call people to turn from that which does not give life to that which does, to that which heals, to the path toward abundant life.
We often look for reasons to reject these calls -- I know I do -- and what better reason to dismiss someone than saying: oh, I know you. I've heard everything you might have to say. And your family is worthless.
Why should I listen, particularly to a difficult word, a call to change?
Who are we in this story from Mark's gospel?
I at times am among the scoffers, looking for reasons to stop listening, reasons to discount. 'Please stop bothering me with calls to dismantle systemic injustice in this country! It's so hard to hear all the time! And, as a white person, my life is sooo tied up in benefitting from various forms of injustice! As a western consumer, my life is made easy by continual degradation of the ecology of Mother Earth? Such a hard teaching!’
‘I don't want you to do a deed of power here, Lord -- that would be too difficult for me to observe. Even if it would make me whole.'
Yet, often enough, I am also among the disciples sent out with very little, so as to be able to listen for the word of life given to me to speak and act in the world. Take very little - actually and metaphorically, Jesus says - so you can carry the word of Life with you, so you can listen and discern just how you might translate this word into something that a given person can actually hear.
And, if the 'village' won't hear you: don't be distracted from what you're actually doing in the longer arc of time. Shake that dust from your feet (they didn't even receive you initially and hospitably and wash your feet? leave the dust there, then, as a sign of this non-engagement). Don't waste time rehearsing what you ought to have said or done, and don't live in anger (stupid people in that village! how could they not...) or regret. Shake that from your feet.
Focus on what matters, Jesus says. Go and heal the sick. Go and proclaim the way of mercy and forgiveness among all people as the way of life. Trust that the Word has been given to you, and that you carry it about with you.
Our communities -- this neighborhood, our families, this city, this nation (on this Independence Day) -- need to hear the word of life, and to turn without distraction to what really matters. Heal the sick. All of us. And, trust that if you have a hard time bringing this word to a particular village (or family!) in your life, someone else may have the word for them. Step back from the Twitter flame-out! Shake the dust from your heels. They heard you the first time, and perhaps will change in time. Bring the word somewhere else, and heal the sick there. Receive healing, yourself. There is always this work to do, and this path (of wise, strategic engagement?) leads to Life, and deeper into the mystery of the cosmos, whose name - Jesus tells us - is Love.