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29Jan
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 honour, except in their home town, 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.
-Mark 6:1-6


This is such a typical story to me. Small town kid starts to make it big on the preaching circuit, at least until those who REALLY know him start filtering everything he says and does through their own blindness due to familiarity. He preaches right from the Prophet Isaiah, he heals people, he astounds folks with his insights, but with one or two dismissive comments all of that wisdom and power are discounted by the people who think they know him best. They can’t receive the fruits of his gift.


As someone who is married to a priest and who has worked with many clergy, I know first hand how hard it can be to listen with some kind of objectivity. Many Sundays I have sat in the congregation and thought, “Did you have to speak so directly to me?” It can be hard - even embarrassing - to come face to face with the various ways we can miss the mark when trying to lead a Christian life. It can also be enlightening, healing, and transformative if we let it.


The rest of this story is Jesus calling his disciples, teaching them to heal and cast out demons, and to share in his ministry. Some of those who traveled with Jesus were indeed his kin. The rest were undoubtedly his family of choice. And we know from how the stories unfold that there were lots of discussions - arguments even - about how to live into the call of Jesus. Yet still they were called.


And so are we. How will we follow Jesus? Will we offer deeds of power, honor, wisdom, and healing? Do we have the capacity to hear the needs of others and offer the presence of Christ? And if we cannot, can we simply walk away peacefully?


Musical Reflection - It's Me O Lord, Standing in the Need of Prayer - Charlie Hayden


The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace. Gracious God, grant us peace. Amen.

-adapted from Mother Teresa

AcceptanceCommunityProphets

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and she is currently training to be a Narrative Enneagram mentor. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. Maria has two grandchildren, Celeste and Alden Wilkins.

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