Gospel: Mark 3: 13-19
Jesus sends us out to preach the good news and to expel demons. Both of these are risky and dangerous work. On the surface preaching good news sounds easy and pleasant, but it is not. The term "good news" had been used exclusively to refer to imperial decrees: it was the empire that brought good news to lands through conquest, violence, and coercion. In taking over the term and changing its content we set ourselves in conflict with the dominant culture, for we bring the good news of peace, solidarity, love, and compassion.
In expelling demons from people's lives we are to go out to those on the farthest margins of society, to people no one wants to associate with, people deemed hopeless. And we are to bring light into these lives as well - release from the bondage of whatever demon holds them captive. This is indeed dangerous work, not only in dealing with this population but also in receiving the skepticism and derision of the larger society.
When God calls people to follow, it is always a calling to something uncomfortable, to something that will challenge us to expand our love for others more and more. God never calls us to complacency, to the comfortable and familiar, to the easy and bland. It is always an invitation to a larger heart, a more generous spirit, a life of service to others.
No comments:
Post a Comment