A community of equals (Y-not question the Sunday Readings)

by Ynot , Sunday, July 15, 2012, 17:42 (339 days ago) @ CathyT

Thank you, Cathy, for your thoughts so well presented as usual. The idea that Jesus could make a joke about 'shaking the dust off their feet' appeals to me. Luke has an account of the 72 being sent out, and returning full of stories about how 'even the devils submit to us when we use your name.' Jesus responded, and I can never read this without seeing a broad smile on his face: 'I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven!' (Lk 10:17-20) He could certainly use satyr and he loved hyperbole - exaggeration for effect.

The evanglisers coming among the people as equals also raises another issue: there seems to be a real emphasis on 'being sent'. The disciples are even called 'apostles' when they are sent out. So there has grown up much to do about 'sending', about giving people a mission to do something, about authentic mission roles issued by bishops, and so on. On the other hand, there is the universal call to all who are baptised: we are all commissioned as apostles by baptism. So at base we are all equal. And this equality in mission is prior and more fundamental than the levels of insitutional missioning that popes and bishops do.

As someone once said: Just a thought.

I must now respond to the imperious demands of a little dog who wants my attention.

Cheers, tony.

'TonyL
"A post is a free gift, and it will go where it pleases."'