Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
You’ve heard the saying, “It’s better to give than to receive,” but I would like to argue that sometimes the opposite is true and harder to do. When we give to someone, especially if that person is in need, we can have a sense of having some power over that person, or of being somehow better, or in control of the situation. To receive, however, requires an openness, a humility, an acknowledgement that I am in need of something that the other person is offering, whether it be something tangible like a meal or place to stay or money, or something intangible like their listening ear, their service or assistance with something, or simply their love. I, at least, find that it is sometimes harder to let myself be vulnerable and graciously receive.
Today’s gospel reading (Mark 6:7-13) of Jesus sending his disciples out in pairs also appears in the gospels of Luke and Matthew (both in chapter 10) with Mark’s being a little different. In Mark’s version of this passage, the disciples are allowed to take a walking stick and wear sandals, whereas in the other two gospels they are to take nothing other than the tunic on their back. In both versions, however, the important message seems to be that the disciples are to rely on God’s grace through the hospitality and generosity of others to provide for their needs as they are traveling from town to town preaching, healing and driving out unclean spirits.
The disciples are expected to be completely dependent on others in their ministry. It seems to me that Jesus wisely sent them out in this way after giving them authority over unclean spirits, so as to keep them humble. Even though the authority came from God, I would suspect that given their humanity, there would be the risk of a sort of “spiritual narcissism” if they were not kept humble by their dependence on God and others for their very survival.
Isn’t it true that we are often closest to God when we are most in need? I think it’s easy to let God take a back seat in our lives when we think we’re in control and have everything that we need. Or at least that is when we are at a greater risk of “spiritual narcissism” and losing our connection with the Source of our being. But when we have to rely on others, we are reminded that God is in control, not us. It seems that it doesn’t take long of everything going “right” before an illness or death or crisis in a relationship or financial troubles, etc. brings us back to our dependence on God and one another, and hopefully back to the center again.
The disciples had something to give, and also allowed themselves to be open to receive. I pray that we may learn from Jesus’ wise instructions and consider how we might be called to let go of some control or leave behind some attachments in order to allow ourselves to be open to receiving what God has to offer this week. It may be difficult, but it will be fruitful.
- Eileen Miller