Texts for Sunday July 5: Ezekiel 2:1-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13
These readings connect to the “scattered” part of Gloria Dei’s tag line – Gathered by Grace, Scattered for Service. We are called to carry the grace which frees us to serve others into wherever it is we spend our week.
Ezekiel is called to be a prophet to God’s people in the sixth century BC from the Babylon captivity; no promise anyone will listen, mind you, but he is still called to “go forth and say to the people…”. Jesus continues his call to teach and heal, this time in his home town where people dismiss his ministry “Really? That kid is a miracle worker? I remember him in high school.”
This called, scattered, sent stuff doesn’t always go the way we expect.
The disciples are then sent out to share the good news through healing and exorcism of demons. Jesus tells them to “take nothing for the journey except the staff”. But what if it rains? I’m starting to pack for the coming youth trip to Detroit. I told the youth: one medium suitcase and “a carry on”. Then I started packing…what if it rains? I need extra socks! What it is cold? I need a heavier shirt! A medium suitcase? What was I thinking? Only a staff? What was he thinking?
This called, scattered, sent stuff doesn’t always go the way we expect.
Luther says the call, the vocation, we receive is to serve our neighbor and that we do that as teachers, preachers, hair stylists, cooks, typists, parents, students, postal workers, spouses - where ever God’s grace sends us. The scattering is not so much about what we do as it is why we do it…to serve.
This called, scattered, sent stuff really doesn’t always go the way we expect.
And that humbles us because we really don’t understand. Then we read in 2 Corinthians from Paul whose “thorn in the flesh” keeps him humble, that God’s grace is sufficient.
Wow. Gathered by Grace, Scattered for Service.