For Sunday
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

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.

Reading

From Mark 6:1-13

“They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”

Reflection

For the last few weeks, we have seen Jesus stretch beyond the perceived limits of his power. He is capable of much more than healing the sick. And yet, there is something comfortable in believing in a less powerful Jesus. That he can only heal the sick or only heal those whom he can touch.

This morning we get two more realizations to deal with.

The first is in Jesus’s return home, where, suddenly, he has no power. What he has instead are people fixating on his limits, his background, where he comes from. If we think back to the parable of the mustard seed: that even the smallest bit of faith can lead to a mighty transformation: we realize that here, there is no faith at all.

Jesus demonstrates the kind of ministry with his hometown that he next invites the Twelve into: namely to take the mission out into the world. And if it is rejected, then move on.

Even as he sends the disciples out to do this work with no provisions, he demonstrates yet another new power. He bestows upon them his power: to heal and cast out demons: and his mission: to proclaim the good news through repentance.

On this side of the resurrection, we have little trouble ascribing power to Jesus. Yet often it seems we struggle to comprehend that his power has anything to do with us. That it is embodied by us and through us.

It seems that his power has everything to do with us. Power limited only by our belief. And that is a tougher pill to swallow.