The Daily Office lectionary has appointed the Gospel of Luke to be read for the last few months. A couple of weeks ago, the verses over a couple of days were Luke 9.51-10.16. This is a fairly familiar set of stories for most of us. It includes the story of the disciples wanting to call down fire on the heads of the Samaritans for ignoring Jesus (Jesus said “No.”) It includes the story of the man who wants to follow Jesus, but only after attending to family business. And, it includes the story of Jesus sending seventy disciples ahead of him to every town . . . but not to take anything with them, but to stay at homes that welcome them. Usually, in the lectionary readings, some of these stories are separated; that is, one is to be read on one day, the others the next. But during that particular week, I lumped them together . . . and saw something that I’d missed for decades.
All of these stories suggest that there is no turning back, despite challenges. Jesus didn’t want to delay his journey to Jerusalem by “calling down fire” on the Samaritans. The implication: “I/We have more important things to do! Don’t get sidetracked with something as petty as vengeance!” With the men who wanted follow Jesus, but first desired to tend to family issues, Jesus says "No one who sets his hand to the plough and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” In other words, “Don’t let past relationships hold you back!” With the sending of the seventy, Jesus’ advice is to be unencumbered while traveling, and then, to take advantage of opportunities (such as houses who welcome the visitors) when they arise. If opportunities are missing, simply go on further.
I was struck by this thematic similarity; as I noted, I’d never really noticed it before. And, upon reflection, I found myself returning to Psalm 23, which had been part of my sermon a week earlier. Even this psalm suggests that, despite being “in the presence of those who trouble [us],” God feeds us, anoints us, and keeps us going!
As I write this, we (nationally, individually, and as a congregation) are looking at several more months of our sojourn in COVID-land. How do we view this time . . . with regard to mission? Jesus going on His mission isn’t complete; one look around and that’s very apparent. But what are we doing? Are we busy calling for vengeance on what/whoever is responsible for COVID? Are we telling ourselves that we still have important, unfinished, business elsewhere that prevents us following Jesus? Are we too encumbered with “stuff” that moving quickly, easily, is hampered? Or are we paying attention to the table that is right in front of us: new possibilities, new table-guests, new means of sustenance?
In some of the discussions I’ve been having with colleagues around the country, two ideas have caught my attention (i.e., new dishes on the table!) One is the idea that we need to start thinking about moving from “church online” to “online church.” In other words, what might it mean to “Re-think Good Shepherd” in a post-COVID world? We’ll have new possibilities; we’ll have learned new things. To just return from “church online” to “church-in-the-building” will probably not serve us well as we follow Jesus out of COVID-land. And the second is that 2021 will be a "new baseline”. We won’t be able to compare what will be coming with what has been. We’ll need to re-build in new ways. Certainly, we have a great foundation. But the materials with which we can build, and the structures we erect will be different. And exciting.
There is a table that God has set in the presence of those who trouble us. Let’s feast!