Mark 6:7-13
There is a constant battle to return to the roots of what Christ taught. Sometimes we (all, people and churches) go far afield it would seem and we need some self reflection, a re-evaluation or re-alignment of our behaviour with that of which Christ spoke and lived.
I see this going on today with the new Pope who eschews many traditions of the church to a return of the values of this passage. It almost seems a battle between the monks and priests who belong to orders (Franciscans, Dominicans and the like) and that of the diocesan priests. The former taking vows of poverty, the latter taking no such vows and often living in splendor and riches. No one need look any further than the bishop of the diocese in which I live. He swallowed whole chunks of living quarters that belonged to an order of nuns so that he could have his most elegant apartment complete with refrigerators to keep each type of wine at it's proper temperature. I am sure that is not sacramental wine we are speaking of. Then there was the Bishop in Germany who was taken to task for the cost of renovations at his residence which included at $20,000 bathtub and 1.1 million dollar gardens.
This week at the Friary I noticed a new book written by the Brother Clark Berge, The Vows Book: Anglican Teaching on the Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity. This seems like a calling to return to the message and spirit of this passage 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. I am thinking this may be reminder and a path back to the original message that Christ gave us. I can hardly wait to get a hold of a copy and read it.
Lest you think this is philosophical banter on how 'order' priests should live versus the diocesan priest, think again. This return to simplicity and poverty is a call to all of us, not just religious and not just the ordained. Live simply so others can simply live is something we can all try to do. In a world where the media blasts every latest new and improved item with new technology, it is not an easy task. We are constantly being bated to live far from a simple life and indeed we are lead to believe we will be happier if we have the latest and the so called best.
In the gay community the pre-occupation with fitness and the finest clothes seems to be another call in the wrong direction. Fine things are wonderful and nobody likes looking at a nice body more than me but to what extend do we live this kind of shallow life? When does appreciation become a pre-occupation? How can the gay community, or anyone, justify the monies spent on personal treasures when there are others that need assistance? The gay community is heavy with young people abandoned who need a leg up or older gay men and women who are alone and have no one to help them and care for them. Is it right that any of us live in a lap of luxury or ogle the latest Gucci item when someone else goes hungry or is contemplating suicide because they think no one cares?
A call to poverty is not discarding a way of life. A call to poverty is a re-assessment and a recognition that we need to try and move in the right direction. Track your movements today, what do you value? If you question what you see in any way, change directions and make a movement towards home.
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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