When you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you

 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:  "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold nor copper in your moneybelts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.  Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it.  But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

- Matthew 10:5-15

On Saturday we read that Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:  first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:  "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house Israel.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold nor copper in your moneybelts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food."  The disciples' mission is similar to Christ's mission.  They are to preach and to heal.  These are laborers for the harvest (see Saturday's reading, above) with whom He shares His power and mission.  My study bible notes that Jesus sends them only to the Jews.  Jesus' earthly ministry was focused on the Jews (15:24) as this is fitting "to fulfill all righteousness" (3:15).  After the Resurrection, the disciples won't be blamed for going "to uncircumcised men" (Acts 11:3).   Jesus prepares His apostles to be single-minded in their mission to preach and to heal, my study bible says.  He reminds them that His power is free; that it is a gift from God ("Freely you have received; freely give").   He also instructs them to carry no money, so they won't be accused of greed, and so they will learn dependence upon God.   The primary character of this mission is humility.  To bring the kingdom of heaven near is also to live righteousness.

"Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it.  But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you."  This same greeting of peace that is commanded by Christ of His servants is the same peace proclaimed by the prophets (Isaiah 52:7).  It is the same peace later offered to the disciples (John 14:27; 20:19), and that will be revealed as the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  And today, Christ's peace is offered in the celebration of the liturgy with the words, "Peace be to all."

"And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"   The rebuke of the disciples to those who do not wish to hear or receive them is simply to shake off the dust from their feet.  Jesus' words about Judgment and righteousness give us an idea of how this power works.   St. Paul's teaching on kindness to enemies is illumined here (Romans 12:20-21; see also Proverbs 25:21-22).

What does it mean to live righteousness?  Or to proclaim that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand"?  The text clearly tells us that Jesus shares His power with the disciples to cleanse and to heal and to cast out demons.  But this power alone is not enough.  They are to go with humility. Whatever home first receives them, they are to stay there and not "trade up" for better lodgings.  They don't impress anyone with outward show of wealth or might.  There is no military accompanying this mission to declare the presence of this Kingdom.  They have lived with Christ throughout His mission so far; now they are to go out and live what they have learned.  They are to be dependent upon God.  We understand with Matthew's Gospel that this is a mission to the Jews of Israel, to seek out those whom Jesus calls "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." In Saturday's reading (see above), we read that He had compassion on the multitude, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Here is His response to the needs of the people.  His ministry evolves to meet what comes to Him in the form of need.  That ministry continues today, and should respond to the need that is found in people.  But this need isn't simply for food and drink and clothing.  It is far more than that.  It is a need that is fulfilled through a promise of participation in a Kingdom.  This is also a reality that is within us and among us.  It is a mystical presence, and its character and being is love (1 John 4:8).  It is a mistake to consider that meeting the material needs of human beings alone is the mission of the Messiah, or the ongoing mission of the Church.  There is more to this Kingdom that feeds people in ways necessary for soul and spirit.  There is food that meets us and heals in an interior way that cannot be reached simply with an outward donation, but must be received in the heart.  And this we also offer as part of the Kingdom to others, and it is present with us in a mystical way which can be shared through faith.  All along in the Gospel, Jesus' healings have involved the presence of faith, either in those receiving the healing or their loved ones and friends.  Too often we wish to abstract the reality of this presence of the Kingdom, and assume that it is present only in its signs.  The things we do because we are motivated by faith in it do not constitute the whole of its root nor its power.  Let us recall that we are a part of something that serves us with love as we in turn serve by practicing love.  There is a power in it we can't name nor quantify.  We can't predict how it will work.  And, as today's reading reminds us, there is also a peace in it.  This is a peace Jesus will say is given to us "not as the world gives" (John 14:27).  This is accompanied by a joy that is also a gift of Christ (John 15:11).   When we decide that we can limit and name the whole of the power of this Kingdom, to make it purely material or simply what we can see, we fail to grasp its infinite ongoing creativity and the ways that it can work within us to heal ailments no one can see.  Let us consider the reality of the Kingdom in which we are invited to participate and which can live and grow in us and through us.  It is also a great mystery that holds the infinite promise of God's love.

The kingdom of heaven is at hand

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:  "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

"Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  And when you go into a household, greet it.  If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it.  But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.   Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

- Matthew 10:5-15

On Saturday, we read that Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:  first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:  "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food."  Jesus sends out the Twelve on their first mission, and He's giving them instructions here.  My study bible points out that their mission is like Christ's.  It's to preach and to heal.  So the power He's giving them is for carrying out the work He has begun.  He sends them only to the Jews, or "the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  My study bible says that Jesus' earthly ministry was focused on the Jews (15:24) so that, after the Resurrection, the disciples would not be blamed by the Jews for going "to uncircumcised men" (Acts 11:3).  The apostles are to be single-minded in this mission to preach and heal.  Jesus' power has been freely given to them, a gift from God.  They must in turn freely give.   And they carry no money.  They will not be accused of greed.  Their journey is one of dependence upon God, characterized by humility.

 "Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.  And when you go into a household, greet it.  If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it.  But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.   Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"   To stay in the same household until they go out of the city or town is an instruction not to "trade up" for better lodgings in each place they go; it's another instruction for humility.  It's a way of conveying themselves.  To give a greeting of peace to a household is a kind of blessing.  My study bible says it's the same peace that was proclaimed by the prophets (Isaiah 52:7), and that Christ would offer to His disciples at both the Last Supper and after His Resurrection.  It is also the same peace that would be revealed as the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  In worship services, "Peace be to all"  offers Christ's peace to the faithful.

We make note here of how Christ's power and peace work.  Peace is a kind of active blessing here.  Those who may receive the peace appropriately will have this blessing remain.  If the household is not worthy, this peace returns to the apostles upon whom it's been bestowed by Christ.   Rejection of them and their words -- the preaching of the gospel -- is met by rebuke (shaking the dust from their feet).  The humble way in which they carry themselves is indispensable to the mission.  The power and peace they carry is that of the kingdom of heaven, not a worldly kingdom.  It's that power that has to somehow speak for itself, and which must be honored above all.  And this is the mission, that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  They are to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons."  To them it has been freely given, and they will freely give.  Humility defers to God, and everything at work here is in the name of the kingdom of heaven, by the power and peace of Christ.   It is part and parcel of the message, and allows that power to speak for itself in what it confers and what it does.  So often we have this choice in our lives.  It's another way of putting it to us that we choose to worship one or the other, God or mammon.  What's more important?  What will we serve?  Whose blessings do we want, exactly?  We put one thing first, even if all things may be added unto it.  But our humility has to come first if we want to focus on whose peace we treasure.

A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

- Mark 6:1-13

Yesterday, we read that when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  My study bible points out that this double response of being both astonished and offended occurs frequently with those who encounter Christ -- see Luke 11:14-16 and John 9:16.  It adds that Christ's rejection in his own country foreshadows His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (John 19:14).  The references to brothers and sisters we've discussed recently in an earlier encounter with Jesus' relations (see this reading and commentary).  "Brothers" and "sisters" can refer to extended relatives (such as cousins, for example, or step-brothers and sisters) both by Jewish tradition at the time,  as well as in typical usage today all around the Middle East. 

 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.   The disciples are sent out two by two on their journeys.  In Matthew's list of the Twelve, names of the first apostles are given two by two, perhaps indicating who went with whom on this first journey.  Jesus has given them power in the ability to heal spiritually, and we note the humility with which they've been dispatched:  taking nothing for the journey, and commanded to remain in the first welcoming lodging, no matter how humble. An "apostle" is literally "one sent out" in the Greek.

In today's reading, we can observe something about the power of faith, as it works (or doesn't, as the case may be) in both "stories" in today's verses.  Jesus travels to His hometown of Nazareth, and the neighbors are both astonished and offended by this change that's come over this man they know as the carpenter's son.  Where did this wisdom and this healing come from?  How can these things now come from Him, the one they know (or perhaps, thought they knew all about)?  They're offended in some way because He's risen above the person they knew Him to be; or perhaps more truly what they are offended at is His holiness.  How could such power and wisdom come from this man?   And it's this holiness and power that is shared with the apostles as they are sent out two by two on their first mission.  He's given them the power to heal and to restore, to cast out unclean spirits.  Elsewhere we're told that what they preach as they go out is that "the kingdom of heaven has come near."   This power bestowed by Christ upon them is the presence of the Kingdom; hence the testimony of rejection in shaking the dust off their feet where they are not welcomed.  In complete humility this Kingdom comes via its apostles, its emissaries.  The one thing necessary is faith.  Faith connects everything; it connects us with this power and with this Kingdom.  It makes the manifold works of Christ's ministry possible.  Even Jesus marvels at the unbelief He finds in His hometown of Nazareth, and there, in contrast to all of the extraordinary works that have spurred throngs of people everywhere He has gone, He can do no great works.  In the absence of faith, there is no connection to the power of the holy.  We look at yesterday's reading, at the woman with the twelve years' blood flow, and her touch that made this connection with Christ and His power, because of her faith.  And the message becomes clear:  the compassion of Christ is always present, it is inexhaustible, but it is somehow channeled into our lives via our faith, and holiness can be at work in us through that open door, that connection of faith.  One wonders, therefore, what may be the condition of life where there is no faith.  Without it, there may be no indication of the power of the holy, the capacity for transformation and healing possible within the body of faith and the gifts of the Spirit.  Via this connection with one another, such as through prayer, we also see faith at work on behalf of other people, as we pray even for the world around us.  But it is a strange and sad thing to contemplate what it is to miss the benefits possible via a "connection" of trust.  In the end, faith is an act of trust.  In the Greek, it is "trust" that is the root of the meaning of the word for faith.  It becomes a question of putting our faith in some-one, this person -- the One who has come to us incarnate as Jesus.  That is the connection, a person-to-person connection, like shaking hands with someone with whom you have a kind of instant depth of recognition.   Can you put your trust in Him?  And how does He return that faith?  Our trust is like an invitation, like making a place for the seed in our hearts that grows to produce great fruits.  Let us remember it is this power of faith that, once again, works throughout the Body of Christ, through others who share it and bond in that same connection, and the great cloud of witnesses who are all alive and present for one another.  It's important to think about prayer in this sense, and its enlivening quality that works from any distance.  We just don't know what power our faith taps into.  It is devastating to think what life would be without that, and without all the capacities for hope, and strength, and life in abundance that faith can bring.

A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.

Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

- Mark 6:1-13

In yesterday's reading, we read that after having healed the Gadarene demoniac, Jesus and the disciples returned across the Sea of Galilee to Jewish territory.  Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him, and He was by the sea.  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians.  She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?"  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid, only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi,"  which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  Jesus and His disciples have come to His hometown of Nazareth, where His family live.

And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?  So they were offended at Him.   We've read consistently in recent readings in Mark's Gospel how Jesus is acclaimed and thronged by crowds elsewhere.  Here, Jesus teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath as has become His custom.  But this is His hometown, and it is filled with people who know Him as the carpenter's son.  My study bible says, "Jesus' teaching, wisdom, and miracles do not overcome the disbelief of those in His hometown.  The people see Him as one of them, the carpenter they know.  They are offended because they can do none of His works, and they are unwilling to accept a far greater role and dignity for Him.  In Scripture the words brothers and sisters can refer to stepbrothers and stepsisters, as well as other relatives (see, for example, Abraham and Lot; compare Gen.. 12:5 with 14:16).  There is no New Testament evidence that Mary had other children besides Jesus.  That Christ from the Cross committed His mother to the care of John suggests that (1) Joseph was by now deceased and (2) Jesus was Mary's only child."

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.    My study bible notes:  "Jealousy affects faith.  Every person could have been restored.  But in the absence of faith, Jesus does not release the divine power which is always His.

Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  Whatever His setbacks, this ministry continues and expands.  Again, we return to the parables of the Kingdom which Jesus has taught in Mark's Gospel:  the Sower sowing seeds, and the tiny mustard seed that grows into an extraordinary plant.  Like the farmer who scatters seeds which grow into a harvest while he sleeps, Jesus does the work He is here to do, trusting in the Father for the proper growth of His ministry.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  My study bible tells us, "This is the first time the twelve are sent out, as it were, on a training mission, preparing them for taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.  They go two by two for mutual support."

He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"   My study bible explains that shake off the dust is a symbolic gesture of judgment. 

So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  A note here says:  "Preaching is an earnest proclamation, and this present proclamation of the need for repentance is momentous.  This is the first time the Twelve perform miracles.  God gives His power, His energy, to human beings and through human beings -- to and through those who repent.  He shares with us by grace what is His by nature.  The disciples anointed with oil as part of the act of healing, for by the Incarnation of Christ creation is renewed:  oil and water become instruments of renewal for the human race."

Jesus' recent teachings have given us many different levels and examples of faith.  In yesterday's reading, we observed how Jesus put out from the house those who ridiculed Him when He said the young girl was not dead.  He put away from Him those who made a calamitous noise in mourning and weeping, in order to heal the girl.  He brought with Him only the disciples of the inner circle, and the two parents of the girl.  What we observe is that to strengthen and shore up faith, Jesus is willing to separate Himself and others from those who do harm, somehow, to that faith.  In today's reading, we get a picture of others without faith in Him, and they're members of His hometown, people He knows and has most likely known all His life growing up in Nazareth.  But it's envy and jealousy that keep them from accepting Him.  Although the world elsewhere in Jewish territories of Galilee throngs to Him, and He's known as a healer, He can do nothing here because of their unbelief.  So we get once again a very strong picture about the nature of faith.  There are things that harm it.  Most prominently in the Gospels, it is envy that gets in the way of really seeing and perceiving.  When we care more about our position in light of another, we run the risk of spiritual blindness.  In the second half of our reading today, Jesus sends out the apostles on their first mission.  In yet another step in the remarkable growth of this Kingdom, Jesus' power is invested in them and shared in them with the world to which they go, two by two.  Their power works over unclean spirits, they heal and anoint others, they preach.  But again, there's a kind of separation from those incapable of receiving.  The symbolic gesture of judgment is just that, a symbol.  It's a way of walking away from that which cannot support the truth of the Kingdom.  Judgment belongs only to God, vengeance has no place here at all.  But they separate themselves from the place where the Kingdom cannot grow, where there is no faith to build upon.  Let's observe how even among His kin and neighbors, Jesus could do absolutely nothing of the works He's done elsewhere.  The faith He's talking about, the trust in Him, the perception of what He is and what He's offering, is something that cuts through all other relationships.  Every worldly institution comes second to the truth that's in the heart, that which we need to truly heal.  In yesterday's reading and commentary, we spoke of the need many people have to separate themselves from environments and people who cannot support their healing, their faith in what can be.  Christ gives us a picture here of just how deep the bonds of faith can go.  Family values are important, because they tell us about love.  Abuse, however, isn't love and it isn't a family value.  Let us remember, faith comes first.  We know love because we are loved.  Our healing depends on that truth.  When everything else fails you, it's there we rest and take our strength.  Love comes first, everything else second.  The apostles go preaching repentance.  Unloving relationships call for repentance, not a cover up.  It's in His truth we find our healing.

Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?

 Then He went out from there and came to his own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

- Mark 6:1-13

In yesterday's reading, first the ruler of the synagogue, Jairus, came to Him as the crowds thronged Jesus.  And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.  Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live."  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.  As they walked, a woman with a bloodflow of twelve years was in the crowd; the Gospel tells us she suffered many things from physicians and had spent all her money on treatment, only to grow worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' "  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."  Even as He spoke, servants came from Jairus' house to tell him that his daughter had died.  But Jesus told him, "Do not be afraid, only believe."  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping."  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and she said to her, "Tabitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."   Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 Then He went out from there and came to his own country, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.   Jesus is in His hometown of Nazareth, where He grew up, and is preaching now among His neighbors and those who knew Him.

And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  My study bible has a long note here, which I will quote partially.  "Jesus' teaching, wisdom, and miracles do not overcome the disbelief of those in His hometown.  The people see Him as one of them, the carpenter they know.  They are offended because they can do none of His works, and they are unwilling to accept a far greater role and dignity for Him.  In Scripture the words brothers and sisters can refer to stepbrothers and stepsisters, as well as other relatives."

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  My study bible notes, "Jealousy affects faith.  Every person could have been restored.  But in the absence of faith, Jesus does not release the divine power which is always His."  It's kind of remarkable that this happens among the people who know Him best.  But really, it teaches us something about human nature.  We want to see what we want to see, what we're used to.  Prophecy -- as Jesus notes the lot of a prophet -- is something that calls us to attention, points out something we're missing, perhaps it is "the elephant in the room" nobody wants to see.  Jesus' revelation is in the nature of the spectacular, even to those who have only known His ministry.  But here, those who know Him only as the carpenter and relative of the family members who are there with them cannot open their eyes; indeed, they are offended at His change in status and identity in the revelation of His ministry.

 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.   My study bible says, "This is the first time the twelve are sent out, as it were, on a training mission, preparing them for taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.  They go two by two for mutual support."  What's quite interesting to me is the investment of His power within them.  The Kingdom is growing; Christ's power is shared with His disciples.  While His power and capacities have just been resented in His hometown, the action of the Kingdom is simply growing and spreading.  We are reminded again of the parable of the mustard seed.

He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place."  The actions with which they are to prepare and go upon their journey all tell us about humility.  Jesus doesn't want this to be a forceful takeover kind of a mission!  This is the Kingdom of peace, where willing hearts in faith create the ground for its existence and work.  Not to depart from the first place where they are welcomed to stay in a home indicates that they are not to "trade up" to better accommodations, but remain with those who open their doors to them first, however humble.  This is, in some sense, the key to the kingdom.

"And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"   My study bible notes here:  "Shake off the dust is a symbolic gesture of judgement."  While nothing happens forcefully, but willingly and through the humility of the Twelve, we understand this to be the work of the Spirit, where the Kingdom is expressed to others and they are invited in via its Gospel message.  Judgment is the purview of the Lord; Jesus doesn't refer to a judgment by the Apostles, but to the Judgment that is to come at the end of the age, by the Knower-of-hearts.  Shaking the dust from their feet is a testimony by the Apostles to a rejection of grace.

So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Repentance is also connected to judgment; we just don't know what true change of mind people will have throughout their lives.  We don't know what true works of faith may come from repentance.  This is why we understand so carefully that true judgment is in the hands of a loving God, who knows us more intimately than anyone else can, than we even know ourselves.  My study bible notes:  "Preaching is an earnest proclamation, and this present proclamation of the need for repentance is momentous.  This is the first time the Twelve perform miracles.  God gives His power, His energy, to human beings and through human beings -- to and through those who repent.  He shares with us by grace what is His by nature.  The disciples anointed with oil as part of the act of healing, for by the Incarnation of Christ creation is renewed:  oil and water become instruments of healing and renewal for the human race."

Throughout the readings of today and yesterday, we are informed about how faith works:  there is this connection that faith in us sparks with the power of the Divine, with Christ's power for healing and redemption.  It was there also in the earlier reading of the Gadarene demoniac.  Although he was occupied by a "legion" of demons, he worshiped Christ.  Clearly, as my study bible points out, this power is shared with us where faith is present.  It can work through oil and water, and all the things of our world, and of course through ourselves, through human beings.  Where it is cut off, we observe, is in cases of jealousy and refusal for whatever reason.  Either way, our faith is what determines where this power goes and what it does, where it is cut off and where it is limited.  At least, this is what these stories about Christ in our recent readings seem to tell us.  And there is more:  we are offered this grace no matter what the obstacle.  No one is cut off -- even one living among the tombs, occupied by a legion of "hostile troops" so to speak, in a desolate place among the unclean (in the Jewish perspective, where swine are raised), far away from the people of God.  No one is exempt from this active offer of grace.  Christ came to each of these people, to these towns, and He comes via His Apostles, the ones whom He has "sent out" (the literal meaning of "apostle") and invested with His power in order to spread His kingdom.  And we still have that choice presented to us each and every moment.  It doesn't really matter where we are or what are our circumstances.  We recall St. Paul on the road to Damascus, a zealous persecutor of Christians.  That grace makes itself present to us, it knocks on our door, it finds us in the most desolate of circumstances even among the dead, where we may be shackled in chains we can't see and know and no one else can help.  This is what the Gospels tell us.  Even when we are unable to help ourselves, help is available, a power has made itself present for us.  But it comes to a willing heart.  Our option is faith.  In the Greek, we remember that faith is akin to trust, and trust is the true stuff of love.  When we don't know who to trust or where to place that trust, there is always the One place our hearts can go to find His Way.