7th Sunday after Pentecost
Year B

Question to Ponder is an invitation to prepare your hearts and minds for worship this coming Sunday. Read the scripture below by looking it up in your Bible or simply clicking the link. Reflect silently on the question, journal, or talk about the question with a friend. Come to worship on Sunday at 9 am ready to receive God’s Word.

Introduction to the Readings
Jesus does great deeds of power and gives his disciples authority over demons. Yet none of this power is unilateral; it all must be received by faith. Jesus asks his disciples to go out without money or supplies, so that they will be dependent on how others receive them. When we are sent from the assembly to witness and to heal, we are asked to be vulnerable, to be dependent on the reception of others. The Spirit always operates in the “between”: between Jesus and his Abba, between Jesus and us, between you and me, between us and those to whom we are sent.

Readings

2 Corinthians 12:2-10 God’s power made perfect in weakness

Mark 6:1-13 Sending of the Twelve to preach and heal

Question to Ponder

When Jesus returned to his hometown, his neighbors expected to see the carpenter, Mary’s son. They couldn’t see he was Jesus, son of God, because of their expectations. What wisdom or deeds of power are you missing because of the way you expect God to work?

Closing Prayer

God of the covenant, in our baptism you call us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us the courage you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen