Without Honor

Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 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! 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. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 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.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Mark 6:1-13

Without Honor

Among those who share this call
it is often perplexing to see who leads
how real and important decisions are made
whose culture us the assumed center of all.

To sit outside among the beloved community
to be welcomed but not listened to or heard
can cause a person to want to scream loud
yet the voice is silenced, the tears are dry.

Without admitting and taking responsibility
the healing is paused on a distant horizon
the forgiveness waits like a hungry orphan
new life is dying of thirst by the roadside.

Creator come sing an honor song to this body
broken and damaged from our own neglect
Creator dance us into a new honest beginning
breathe a new breath into this sighing heart.