Sunday July 21, 2024 Holy Wisdom Monastery
Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34,53-56 Patti La Cross
As I just tended to the sheep in a reflection 3 months ago, I am giving them rest today, in this fullness of summer. These verses from Mark may be easier to relate to because it’s summer; when many people are moving around more. Humans seem always to have traveled, if not to secure food and water, then to explore what lies beyond. We may travel to renew relationships with family and friends; to find respite in creation’s wonders, or be thrilled by new adventures. There is evidence that people were sailing at least 50,000 years ago.
Feeling adventurous one Sunday morning about 20 years ago, our daughter Rachel and I decided to paddle here: From Lake Monona, up the Yahara, through the locks, and across Mendota – a little over 6 miles. We landed the canoe at Gov Nelson beach, Jim met us in a car, and we arrived here just after 9. Even with some choppy water in the middle, it took just about 2 hours. Making that journey enhanced our worship. And our crossing time closely compares to the sail time Jesus and his disciples might have logged as they crossed the 8 mile width on the Sea of Galilee – on a day without squalls.
Mark’s gospel doesn’t waste words. If we could ask him “Why did Jesus keep crossing this large freshwater lake?” he’d likely say, “To get to the Other Side!” And he wasn’t joking! Seas and oceans are usually surrounded by land. They separate people, cultures, languages, beliefs. Mark’s Jesus is the Reconciler of God’s people, criss-crossing what he calls the Sea of Galilee, to bring them all into a new world order. No doubt these passages also evoked for Jews the deep memory of the Exodus liberation from captivity through the Red Sea.
In this first Gospel, Mark must make it clear that Jesus is here for Everyone, not just for Jews, but Syrians, Egyptians, Greeks, and All Others who listen to his message. His crossings are purposeful and egalitarian: venturing from one side to the other to embrace the people wherever he and his cadre land. All are invited to hear him teach; all who approach: wounded, sick, outcast, are healed – and thus freed. Jesus exorcized demons, fed crowds, and welcomed followers from villages on both sides of the lake. Though Jews and Gentiles co-existed in many towns, Jesus brought them together: they now belonged to one another through him. That is the mission handed down to us: we are each other’s’ keepers Period.
Jesus’ response to the crowds gives us direction in how our faith communities should address all those needs known to us: out of compassion. We ought to be: fearless, generous, and indiscriminate. When people seek guidance or assistance, our response to them is our proclamation of love- and the realization of God’s Home: Our Only Home, as we pray in this circle.
Today’s letter from the imprisoned Paul to the Ephesians exhorts us to be reconciled with one another in love. This One, Shared Home we’ve inherited is built on the Peace Jesus has brokered with his life. It is a Peace always greater than the end of hostilities and estrangement, though these alone are so elusive. We are to be a New Human Community, living the call and gift that is present and available to us now. To borrow a great phrase from one Gospel commentator, “this peace enables us to engage it boldly, even foolishly, in what may seem hopeless situations.
In the chaos of the present moment, hopelessness seems to be nipping at our heels already – So, let us be foolish! I believe that making it through this time as a people, and a nation, requires us to fiercely embrace the goodness all around us, and double down. What might that mean? I think it requires that we see, we become aware of those outside society’s mercy, and tend to them; That we celebrate the good that we see, and engage it.
All around us are the relentless efforts of conservationists and climate warriors. Great teachers, social workers, librarians, and others working with an eye out for children and others at risk. Because of adequate mental health care and poverty. Volunteers in food pantries and community centers help keep families and communities afloat; justice groups and chaplains uplift those inhumanely imprisoned. Members of this circle quietly support those in and beyond this circle, during health crises and loss, knitting the peace. Vincentians throughout our county knock on doors to befriend and help neighbors who call in need.
These threads of care and uplift – many supported by contributions from people in this circle – crisscross our communities into webs of healing and resilience. These webs, and the artistry and music of many, help keep us grounded amid the noise and nonsense that batters us. Healthy communities generate a joy that cannot easily be extinguished!
Over these upcoming months I encourage all of us to be proactive, to venture out further and schedule some new opportunities for community weaving. (and no, this is not in competition with the recent invitation to community crocheting...) You might try hosting or joining a postcard-writing to simply encourage others to vote, because voting further invests us in the well being of our communities.
You might host a letter/or editorial writing group on a concern you have for our county or state; or form a roving potluck, and get to know better people you see only here; or host a singing or other musical or artistic circle. A number of us longtimers here have done this before, and it really helped us navigate stressful times, created and strengthened friendships, and lightened our hearts.
Mark’s Gospel is one of great urgency, and we also sense the intensity of our Now. But when his disciples were spent, returning from their first mission, Jesus invited them to rest. He has already secured the peace we never could! We who know him in the breaking of the bread, must live in bold confidence and great compassion, so as to build up those whose hope is frayed.
Let us pray:
Let us pray for the safety and refreshment of all who travel and vacation during these summer months, and all who find serenity in the natural world around us, and work to preserve our ecosystems,
For the millions of God’s people forced to leave their homes by climate disasters, war, and deep poverty, and for all the children orphaned in those crises, whose security, education and childhood is disrupted, and for all the families who mourn, let us pray
In thanksgiving for all people who generously share their passions and compassion with others: in service, healing, teaching, and leadership and through gifts of music, and the arts, we pray
Please take a moment to name at this time those persons and needs for whom you would have us join you in prayer, ….
And for all who today are sick, imprisoned, dying, or despairing, let us pray.
Holy One, we stand here in the Peace you have given us through Jesus’ life, death and
Holy Spirit. We ask you to accept these prayers from our trust in your promise, Amen.