A Holy Partnership

Not too long ago I was talking with someone about why I wear a black preaching robe and the colored stole that hangs around my neck on Sunday morning. I explained that each of them has a particular meaning and significance to a preacher. The robe is reminiscent of the middle ages, a time when priests and the highly educated were set apart and recognized by the clothing they wore. It is said that teachers even carried books in the long billowy sleeves of their robes. I am a little less clear about the history of the stole, but I can tell you that it symbolizes the yoke of Christ. A stole is generally worn only after someone makes formal promises to faithfully serve Christ and his church and is being ordained into the ministry.

The stoles that I wear, like the paraments that hang from the pulpit and lectern, are a different color for each of the different liturgical seasons of the year. Purple is worn in the season of lent for repentance, and during the season of Advent to represent the sovereignty of the Christ Child who is to be born. White is worn on Christmas, Easter and on the days like today when we share Holy Communion. It symbolizes holiness, hope, and joy.

Red represents the Holy Spirit, and is worn on Pentecost and when a pastor is ordained or is installed into a new ministry.

And finally, we have the color green. It is usually worn between Christmas and Lent, and then again from just after Pentecost until the beginning of the season of Advent in the fall. Green represents life or growth, the growth of individual faith, as well as the growth of the church.

So, in a nutshell, that's what it means when I stand before you wearing what I do as I lead us all in worship. What is actually more important for us this morning is not what I do and wear, but what we all do together. Ultimately, no one person in the church is more important than the next. We are all called to be the body of Christ together.

Let's look again at the scripture, especially at the latter half of the reading.

"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the twelve to him, he sent them out, two by two, and gave them authority over evil spirits." (Mk.6:6b-7)

Jesus called his disciples together to commission them for ministry. He sent them out in two's so they would always have some with whom to share the work. As he did so, he gave them particular instructions for the journey.

It is clear that Jesus is the leader; he is not someone who is going to work alone. He has chosen these twelve men to be more than traveling companions, more than witnesses to his mighty deeds. He has chosen them to participate in his ministry. Unlike those who are healed or who are otherwise touched by god's grace and who go forth to witness to their experience, these twelve are to play a direct role in Jesus’ mission to the lost, the hurting, and the sinful. Jesus endows them with the power to do great things in his name. Not the least of which is the power is to exert authority over evil. Wherever they go and whatever they attempt, it is done in the name of Christ. As extensions of Jesus’ own ministry, they are his partners. And therein is the lesson for us and for anyone who would be a part of his church. Understanding this very vital connection to Christ is the foundation of whatever ministry we do in his name today. I admit that sometimes this is easier said than done.

It is unfortunate that there are some in our world who perceive the church of Jesus Christ as being less than it is called to be. They see churches which appear to be self-serving, interested in their own survival rather than the sharing of the gospel message. They see churches and church leaders who appear to be engaged in Ministry that is meant to fulfill the need for prestige or influence or to pursue a particular agenda. Sadly, these perceptions demean the best intentions of many faithful congregations and leaders because they fly in the face of what is the fundamental basis for the church's life and purpose, namely the preaching of good news, serving the poor, feeding the hungry, seeking justice for the oppressed, and following Christ as best we can.

Jesus' instructions to the twelve were brief and to the point: work together, take as little with you as possible, and realize that not everyone is going to accept what you say or do in my name. There isn't a great deal of ambiguity in those words, is there?

The reading we are sharing this morning, the charge to travel light and accept whatever hospitality is offered, is a call for us to simplify our lives and to trust god. We are to trust in and obey Christ, the one who, as the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, became poor so that we might become rich (ii Cor. 8:9), rich in spirit, and rich in hope. Traveling light means being willing to resist the pressures of the world to buy and equip and consume. Sometimes it means simply repenting of those things we've already given in to. "Christians are not meant to waste their resources," one writer says. "others are waiting to hear the gospel."

Not for one moment do I believe or am I suggesting that following Christ, being his disciples, is easy. But what other choices do we have if we truly do seek a good and meaningful life? It's a matter of seeking that which will last and turning away from the things that don't. Our mission and ministry are too important to choose to do otherwise.

God has delegated important work to you and to me. It’s true that god could easily be everywhere doing whatever needs doing. But god has chosen us to take part in the grand plans god has for us and for our world. What a great expression of trust that is! What amazing confidence god has in ordinary people like you and me!

I invite us all to ponder what we've heard from mark's gospel this morning. As Christ’s church, we are entrusted with very special responsibilities. And no lesser person than Christ himself has commissioned us for ministry. In his name, let us renew our desire to serve this one who came, not to be served, but to serve. May we find the strength we need for our life, our faith and our daily journey in the gifts of the table around which we gather at today.

For the blessings of this life, for the tasks we may yet accomplish in the name of Christ, and for the abiding hope of eternal life, may we give god all the glory, this day and always.

Amen.