Two by two

 Mark 6:1-13

Quite a few years ago one of my parishioners came to me and asked if they could deliver the sermon some Sunday. They had become concerned about a new member who had joined us and people were talking. Now this woman who had joined us some people had known previously when she was a man, and (name changed) Gary was concerned there was a bit of intolerance in keeping it all regulated to gossip and not bringing it out into the open.

The the stories came from their own life. About how because they were a gay man back in the day, that they had to live under threats from others in order to teach, because of the stereotypes which existed in peoples minds. How they had to have two separate houses and have sleep overs in order to have the long term relationship they had with their partner because of what people would think if they only had one house and lived together. Gary knew what it was to have rumors, false things said about you. He dared to give this story to the very people who had been intolerant of him. Why?

Because Jesus sends us out two by two. He wanted to stand up and explain a bit of what he had gone through in order that another might not have to. He understood that sometimes the demons we need to cast out are our own prejudices, our own way of seeing and labeling people as other. This is where discipleship starts, in being sent out, not alone, but with a companion.

Jesus sends us out of here each Sunday. Who is your companion? Have you ever thought about it in this way? We come here to know a little bit more about what it is to follow Jesus and then we are sent to heal, to cast out intolerance, to go and let God's peace be shown in a world which doesn't know it because it is important in showing the kingdom of God to others. Because we have been so touched, so changed by what we have encountered we want the world to know about it. Because God in Jesus has met us in our own broken places and showed us his healing hand, in touch, in solidarity, in peace with a world who doesn't understand it.

Our Presiding Bishop's favorite line is if its not about love its not about God has become a healing balm to many who haven't seen love played out by religion. It should be. It is a part of the peace we don't understand. It is a part of  being fully known and being able to care to walk out the door and take up the discipleship step of being sent out to proclaim this good news. 

For too long we have hidden the richness of what it is to be a Christian. For too long we have thought it is tied to wrong and right. For too long we haven't bound peoples wounds or proclaimed peace. This is what we are sent to do. To show the difference between the world and Gods dream of what the world can be. To cast out the demon of condemnation and distrust and to trust that God will work for the good and if it isn't received just shake off the dust and journey on with the message. 

This Jesus, this good news he came to spread, to share with all who needed it. As is said in other places in the gospel it is to proclaim release to the captive, to heal and make the lame walk, to make the crooked paths just a bit straighter and to show others the favor of God. It is a wonderful message to go out and proclaim and we shouldn't be afraid to go and show it. Especially now when the world needs a little kindness, a little more tolerance, a little more depth of divine love, a healing love which knows no bounds. So go and know you are sent by the love which claims each one of us, to share the good news, the kingdom of love is near.