Thursday, June 13, 2024
Gospel Reflection: Wise as Serpents?
The Rev. Rob Stevens
Matthew 10:7-16
Jesus said to the twelve, “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
That last line always gets me. “Wise as serpents??” Jesus is giving pastoral instructions to his friends. He is sharing with them how to share the Good News. He gives very clear instructions…not exactly what the parable sharing Jesus is known for. But, why this line about being wise as serpents?
Doesn't Jesus want us to be “nice” and “polite?” While being polite and nice is not necessarily against the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus’ primary message was to Love and sometimes that isn’t easy, polite or nice. Sometimes the Good News is not received or even worse corrupted and used for evil.
When I was just beginning as rector of SJC a parishioner who was wishing to make me squirm asked me, “What is your bottom-line Rob?” I thought and responded, “Kindness.” He didn’t like that answer very much and said it was too simple…he called it “pabulum” which I since learned is a synonym for baby food. Maybe he wanted something more theological or scholarly. However, I stand by my response. Kindness is different than being nice or polite to me. It is different because it requires honesty. Real kindness isn't a slogan or bumper sticker, but a way of life that requires the wisdom of honesty...it's also risky.
Sometimes, like the reading above indicates, we have to be wise like a serpent and kick off the dust and move on. Ouch. I don’t like that reality yet sometimes it is the "kind" thing to do. This is not “writing someone off.” Instead, it is recognizing that your gifts are not being received or welcomed and simply moving on while taking your peace with you. A young man taught me a phrase that I believe is at the heart of what this Gospel is about, “Protect your peace.” This phrase could be viewed as selfish, but I suggest that protecting your peace is the “wise as serpents” that Jesus speaks of. Share your peace with all, but if it’s not returned or welcomed protect it and move on. Hard work for sure, but necessary. Also, notice that it is not up to us to do the judging…just loving, just sharing peace. Let’s try to leave the judging to God.