Mark 6:7-13
It's very difficult if not impossible to impose your views on someone else. Trying to convince someone of what your side is, or what your message is can prove to be a daunting task. Sometimes you just want people to understand something and it is frustrating as hell that people harden their hearts and just will not hear what you have to say.
Jesus knew this. There is scripture passage after scripture passage that speaks of 'stiff necked people' and those who 'harden their hearts. So when Jesus sent out his disciples, he knew there would be occasions that people would simply not be receptive to a message of love, repentance and healing.
In todays' political climate, there seems to be an over abundance of people who do not listen to the other sides' point of view. There is no attempt to understand or appreciate the other persons point of view. The political chasm is almost of biblical proportions.
The gay community has been making some serious strides in our efforts to achieve equality. Many people of good faith see that gay people are the same as every other human being. Our desires, wants and hope for a good and loving life are no different than anyone else's. We could speak softly, loudly or sideways to the folks at the Westboro Baptist Church and they would hear nothing of our good intentions, assertions that we live moral lives, love God and, heaven forbid, were created in God's loving image.
Like anything else in life, it is our actions though that speak louder than words. In Jesus time it was the love that the early Christians showed that converted so many. Goodness and decency in politics is recognized in politics too. These people are called statesmen. Sadly it is an appellation that is most often given as a eulogy and not appreciated as much when the person is alive. When a gay couple moves into a neighborhood there might be some resistance on the part of some neighbors to welcome them. They may be viewed with suspicion until it is realized that they live the same lives. They work, they relax, they work on their houses, they shop and live and love like everyone else.
I've been at the same job for 32 years now. I only became aware of being gay and came out about six years ago. The same people that have always known me now know me as a gay man. There was some hesitation on the part of some, there may still be, but most people treat me the same and most realize I am the same person. I still have all the same good qualities I always had, I still make mistakes, still am loved and love with the same concern for others I ave always had.
Actions always speak louder than words. I will not hold it against the straight community that many of them indulge in the immoral behaviors of adultery, strip joints and one night stands at booby-bars. I will not judge them because we are all capable of mistakes and not realizing what it is we are truly looking for inside. Many people use bad behavior in an effort to achieve inner peace. Gay or straight, drug, booze and sex are behavior that do not define your sexuality, it speaks of an internal yearning.
When someone will not receive the message that God is loving God; when someone will not hear the message that as a gay man I am a beautiful creation of God's love and desire; when someone will not hear words of equality for all, the best thing to do is to show them by positive actions who you really are.
But when people will not listen and their hearts are hardened, shake the dust off your feet and leave. Wait for them to come around. If they do not, their hearts are very possibly dead. It is also possible that they are not 'there' yet on their journey and we should appreciate that too and give them the space. But always live your own good and decent life. Just let the dust settle around those that will not hear.
It's very difficult if not impossible to impose your views on someone else. Trying to convince someone of what your side is, or what your message is can prove to be a daunting task. Sometimes you just want people to understand something and it is frustrating as hell that people harden their hearts and just will not hear what you have to say.
Jesus knew this. There is scripture passage after scripture passage that speaks of 'stiff necked people' and those who 'harden their hearts. So when Jesus sent out his disciples, he knew there would be occasions that people would simply not be receptive to a message of love, repentance and healing.
In todays' political climate, there seems to be an over abundance of people who do not listen to the other sides' point of view. There is no attempt to understand or appreciate the other persons point of view. The political chasm is almost of biblical proportions.
The gay community has been making some serious strides in our efforts to achieve equality. Many people of good faith see that gay people are the same as every other human being. Our desires, wants and hope for a good and loving life are no different than anyone else's. We could speak softly, loudly or sideways to the folks at the Westboro Baptist Church and they would hear nothing of our good intentions, assertions that we live moral lives, love God and, heaven forbid, were created in God's loving image.
Like anything else in life, it is our actions though that speak louder than words. In Jesus time it was the love that the early Christians showed that converted so many. Goodness and decency in politics is recognized in politics too. These people are called statesmen. Sadly it is an appellation that is most often given as a eulogy and not appreciated as much when the person is alive. When a gay couple moves into a neighborhood there might be some resistance on the part of some neighbors to welcome them. They may be viewed with suspicion until it is realized that they live the same lives. They work, they relax, they work on their houses, they shop and live and love like everyone else.
I've been at the same job for 32 years now. I only became aware of being gay and came out about six years ago. The same people that have always known me now know me as a gay man. There was some hesitation on the part of some, there may still be, but most people treat me the same and most realize I am the same person. I still have all the same good qualities I always had, I still make mistakes, still am loved and love with the same concern for others I ave always had.
Actions always speak louder than words. I will not hold it against the straight community that many of them indulge in the immoral behaviors of adultery, strip joints and one night stands at booby-bars. I will not judge them because we are all capable of mistakes and not realizing what it is we are truly looking for inside. Many people use bad behavior in an effort to achieve inner peace. Gay or straight, drug, booze and sex are behavior that do not define your sexuality, it speaks of an internal yearning.
When someone will not receive the message that God is loving God; when someone will not hear the message that as a gay man I am a beautiful creation of God's love and desire; when someone will not hear words of equality for all, the best thing to do is to show them by positive actions who you really are.
But when people will not listen and their hearts are hardened, shake the dust off your feet and leave. Wait for them to come around. If they do not, their hearts are very possibly dead. It is also possible that they are not 'there' yet on their journey and we should appreciate that too and give them the space. But always live your own good and decent life. Just let the dust settle around those that will not hear.
He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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