When I was helping with the preparation for those interested in Catholicism, we used what we called a “journey stick” as a symbol for the group. The stick itself was actually the wood skeleton of a saguaro cactus. It was important because it symbolized the journey of each of us as we gathered together. The significance of the journey stick for me was not so much that it symbolized the possibility that those in the group would actually want to become Catholic, but a much deeper sign of a life yearning that we all have to belong in a community (any community) that is authentically life giving and inclusive.
In Mark’s gospel (Mark 6: 7-13), we hear today the familiar account of Jesus sending the Twelve out to preach the gospel. He sends them out in pairs, giving them “authority over unclean spirits.” He also gives very specific instructions on what to bring and what not to bring. The “not-to-bring” list includes no food, no sack, no money in their belts. In fact the only thing that Jesus tells them to bring is a “walking stick.” We then hear how the disciples, upon entering a house should stay in that particular place until they move on, and if any place does not welcome or listen to you, “shake the dust from your feet as testimony against them” and leave. The gospel account ends by stating that the disciples preached, drove out demons, and cured many who were sick.
This gospel can be seen, as has been used sometimes destructively, as a guidebook describing what any disciple of Christ should do. It seems quite clear…but I wonder.
What if we look at this “walking stick.” Why bring just a “walking stick.” Also, we are not told in this passage the content or even the form of the “preaching” to be done. And although the action to take if you are not received or listened to sounds very clear – “shake the dust…” – could it be looked at differently?
What if the mission of Christ is really about journey and encounter? What if that is our LIFE mission? I’m not talking about just walking around taking it all in without any grounding or discernment. But it occurs to me, that this gospel may be saying something about how we receive each other, about how we listen to each other and how we treat each other. Do we look at ourselves as pilgrims on the same journey? And if we do, how much baggage do we bring along with us and try to force on others? Could we survive with just a “stick?” Could just a “walking stick” allow us to enter each other’s “houses” and share our stories (“preach”) so that we can be deeply touched, so much so that “demons” are driven out (yours and mine), and we are cured.
It doesn’t have to be an “I’m telling you this and you better respond, and by the way, it better be exactly how I want you to respond” scenario. Could the “shaking the dust” refer to the necessary discernment (“authority over unclean spirits”) that we could have in our interactions with others, not tempered with dualistic righteousness, but with compassionate accountability?
Perhaps Mark’s account today is asking us to realize that we are all on the same journey, and our chance to be whole is reliant upon our willingness to receive Christ in every “house” we enter, and to allow authentic communal interaction, because Christ is already here.
Peace
Thomas