Strange Authority
Rhona Cathcart
July 14, 2018
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Mark 6: 7-11
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.’
What is this strange authority you give us Lord?
The authority to travel naked - or nearly.
Vulnerable anyway,
dependent on the kindness of strangers.
Is this any way to go into battle against impurity?
Against injustice, disease, oppression?
I’m not asking for a tank, or an army,
but a spare shirt would be nice.
And why must we speak only to those who welcome us?
Surely with your help we could bulldoze our way into a few hearts?
But I suppose that’s not your way.
How wonderfully strange it is that the God of Angel Armies waits to be invited.
And once invited, he stays a while,
sharing the hospitality of our tables,
in no rush to move on.
Lord, help us to move lightly,
to understand that our vulnerability is a gift,
enabling us to hold the astonishing power you give us gently.
Give us the courage to go where we are sent,
knowing that every step of obedience brings us closer to you.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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