SUNDAY SCRIPTURES FOR JULY 6 | Discipleship doesn’t take a vacation
Jesus, as He told His disciples when sending them out, tells us to be dependent on those to whom we share the Gospel

When Jesus sends out His disciples in what looks like a training mission before He leaves them, He sent them out two by two. The details He provides about what the disciples should (or shouldn’t) carry set the parameters for what it should look like when we are disciples of Jesus. Most of us have learned the wisdom of this teaching, but we still find it hard to follow. Let’s talk about two cultural patterns that we all grow up with and see how we might be able to begin to change those for the sake of being disciples of Jesus
The first tendency within our culture is to focus more on the concept of scarcity, even though we have the ability to live, not just with our needs being filled, but also with much more besides. This living in the belief of scarcity causes us to act in ways opposite of what Jesus tells us to do. We try to count on only our own resources and not depend on anyone else. Many people may see dependency as a weakness, but the instructions of Jesus tell us to be dependent on those for whom we are disciples. When we bring the good news, we are worthy of having our needs met, especially by those we are encountering. What Jesus doesn’t say directly is that it’s really good for us to experience what it’s like to be dependent on another. Since we have control over much of our environment, like making artificial light and bringing water directly into our bathrooms and kitchens, we’re not really used to depending on God alone. Most of us believe that if we don’t always carry extra, our needs will not be taken care of. That is why Jesus tells us to spend time around the poor, the sick and the imprisoned. Those folks know what it’s like to depend on other people and they have a lesson to teach us.
Another cultural pattern to be aware of is our tendency to distrust. Not only do we stack up extra things around us, we also tend to not trust other people with partnership in our lives. Jesus says that discipleship demands that we do it at least in pairs and that we gather regularly with the community for worship, support and being given a clear mission. We like to depend on ourselves and only ourselves and find the need to connect ourselves to another as a sign of weakness. So many of us who are disciples of Jesus, especially among us clergy, tend to want to do as we wish, without making plans for another person and making accommodations for their needs. Many of us believe we know how the world should go. Why should we talk with or partner with anyone else since we know the truth? So many of us burn out or become arrogant because of this individualism.
Summertime allows us a bit more flexibility, whether through vacations from school or work or just more laid-back attitude. Discipleship doesn’t take a vacation. Wherever we go, whether at home or abroad, we carry the spirit of Jesus with us and are meant to be examples for others about what it means to follow Jesus. Look for signs of arrogance, burning out, extreme individualism or hyper isolation. Check to make sure that there’s always somebody in our life who has permission to tell us what good people we are, but also when we’re following the wrong track. As the Scripture readings say this weekend, the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.