- Amos 7: 12-15
- Psalms 85: 9-10, 11-12, 13-14
- Ephesians 1: 3-14
- Mark 6: 7-13
- By whose authority?
- It's easy to become enamored of authority. To be recognized as "an authority" on a topic is high praise. To be in authority over others is a huge responsibility. But our God is a god of humility. He comes among us as a peasant, not a prince.
- Who is someone who speaks with real authority in your life. Someone whom you look up to, that you admire, that you feel is a guiding light in your life?
- What do you think would be their reaction if you told them that?
- How did they get to have that much influence in your life?
- Do you feel that they are humble?
- Does that humility make them more, or less influential for you?
- Justice and peace shall kiss
- Peace and justice are closely related. I suspect that one cannot thrive for long in the absence of the other. A short commentary on how these two relate to each other can be found here.
- When you are at peace, how does that benefit you, your family, your community?
- Do you think that there is anything that any of us can do to bring peace to someone else?
- Is justice strictly a concern of our civic leaders?
- Achieving holiness
- Holiness seems inaccessible, something beyond our reach, at least in this life. But God wants each of us to be holy, and all of us to be holy - that is, to find our holiness with, in, and through each other.
- Who are some holy people that you know, past or present?
- How did they achieve that holiness?
- Did/do they look happy to you?
- Do you think that you can learn from their example?
- Do you think that would bring you happiness?
- Carrying on
- Jesus was wise to give His disciples some practice in missionary work before He left. I'm pretty sure that His disciples had lots of questions for Him when they got back. Lots of comparing notes between each other. Lots of lessons learned. Yet the Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke never tell us about those conversations. I suspect that God wanted us to figure some of these things out for ourselves.
- How do you see the Church being a healing presence in our world today?
- Do you see a healing going on in any/all of the ministries that you are involved in?
- Can we/should we be doing more healing?
- Does that healing have to begin at home?
- Preparation for Reconciliation
- Where is God calling me to speak and act boldly?
- How can I be a force for peace in the world around me?
- What would my life look like if I were more holy?
- Where can I be a healing presence in someone else's life?
Faith Healers
Ezra, I've never been to this part of the Galilee before.
How much further to the next village?
My feet are killing me.
And I'm so hungry I think my navel just collided with my spine.
Isaac, I know, I know.
I think I would cheerfully trade my tunic for a bed and a map.
The bed where I can rest and count my blisters.
The map to give us a better idea of what lies ahead.
At first, I was worried that we would not have much to share with the others.
That we would look as though we lacked proper faith, perseverance, or love.
Then I worried that you and I would have little with which to encourage them.
But now, now I worry that the Master is coming behind us, and I want all to be ready for Him.
This all seemed so easy when He first commissioned us.
Preach the Gospel, tell them I'm coming, call them to repentance.
Heal the sick when you find them.
Show them My love in all that you do.
Then I started to worry about food, warmth, shelter.
Then I realized that God would provide, and I started to worry -
Worry that we would not know how to minister.
Now, I worry that we will know what we are called to, but lack the courage.
Look, now that the sun is going down, the lights of that village ahead shine brightly.
Somewhere ahead are children of God, waiting to be called into freedom.
Children of God who have forgotten their birthright.
Children of God who have forgotten how to hope.
Isaac, take my hand and pray with me.
Loving Father, you have sent your son Jesus.
He has sent us.
Fill us with the love and humility that so fills Him.
That we might be a fit window to the heart of Your Son.
That we might see the needs in front of us -
As a gift, a door to your sacred arrival among us.
And minister Your love according to Your will.
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