Shake Off the Dust

He left that place and came to his home town, 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 offence 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

I have been packing up books to give away and am finding great amounts of dust on them. Old seminary texts and scholarly books alike collect dust just as we do. The dust can disfigure their appearance and ours, and we can be weighed down by the shadows of old rejections and losses. Jesus was rejected in his hometown. He didn't go back for a fight but went on with his ministry, his service. If we carry the hurts and rejections with us, we will constantly be going back over that useless but painful dust. That dust can cloud our thoughts and keep us from reaching out to others. Today is a good day to shake off the dust, carrying nothing but the love and compassion of Jesus in our hearts.

Gracious Creator, you call us to follow

giving us our needs for each new day

sending us out among your beloveds

who can choose to listen or turn away.

Too often we are rejected and hurt

and we avoid those who won't hear us

yet your love is for exactly those ones

who are broken by the pains of the world.

Help us to shake off the dust of rejection

help us let loose of shame and doubt

so every day might be one of serving

carrying only your love to our world. Amen.