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Ready to Bear Witness
Where does power come from? The usual answers—family connections, reputation, possessions—are all rejected in this reading from Mark’s gospel. Jesus’ power is not only independent of his family connection—it is hindered by it. While it isn’t entirely clear why the people of Nazareth reject Jesus, the fact that they do may sound familiar to us. How often do we find exactly what we expect when we encounter something new? How open are we, really, to the possibility that God’s power might come from an unexpected corner? The first part of today’s reading suggests that even miracles take two things: both divine power and willing witnesses.
Perhaps Jesus sends his disciples out stripped of their possession precisely so that they are ready to witness to God’s power in a new way. They go without any of the usual trappings of security or wealth, with no guarantee that their ministry will be received. In fact, Mark reminds us a few verses later (Mark 6:14-28) just how hostile the world can be to receiving the proclamation of the kingdom of God. John the Baptist will lose his life because of Herod’s resistance to repentance. Nevertheless, Jesus’ teaching continues to astound, and the word continues to spread.
The willingness to bear witness, even when we are not certain of answered prayer or mission success, is a theme that unites all this day’s readings. Even the Psalm, in its simple gaze of faith, invites us to let go of results in favor of relationship. Paul’s sometimes confusing logic about spiritual experiences becomes clear as he sums up God’s word to him: “My grace is sufficient for you . . . .” That is a powerful word, which can make almost any experience an opportunity to witness to Christ’s power.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-13
At home and abroad, Jesus and his disciples encounter resistance as they seek to proclaim God’s word and relieve affliction.
1 [Jesus] came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.