Date – July 7, 2024 – The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
The Rev. Mary Davis
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
Our middle son Patrick played baseball throughout high school and college, and in high school, he was primarily a pitcher. One of his coaches taught him the value of “acting ‘as if’.”
By that, he meant that if you happen to be pitching in a game, and a batter rocks a home run off of your fast ball, you are to step back up on that mound, prepare for the very next pitch, stand tall and strong, exude an air of confidence, and act ‘as if’ you are the greatest pitcher in the world; Act ‘as if’ the next batter has zero shot at connecting with any of your pitches, let alone your fast ball. Or, if Patrick was up to bat, and happened to strike out with the bases loaded to end the inning, (which didn’t happen very often!) his coach expected him to put his batting helmet back in it’s slot in the dugout, and run to his position on the field acting ‘as if’ he was the best field that ever lived. Of course, Patrick’s coach knew that by acting ‘as if,’ players could often rise to a higher level of success and achievement, than if they never envisioned greatness at all.
Of course, Patrick’s coach’s wisdom isn’t just for baseball. I’ve use this tool many times in my life. Countless times, actually. Like when we were driving home from the hospital after our first child, Ryan was born. There was no instruction manual. I, honestly had no clue how to
be a mother. But when we arrived home, carrying this new baby into our apartment, I acted ‘as if’ I was a mother, eventually finding my way into some calm confidence.
The same was true when I was in seminary. One of my jobs during those years was serving as a Chaplain at a critical care hospital for brain and spinal cord injury patients. Walking into that building and encountering patients who were paralyzed, on respirators, or enduring serious brain injury, I had no clue how to interact with them or their families, let alone provide any kind of spiritual support. It was a mine field of trauma, and grief, and despair. And yet, I acted ‘as if’ I was indeed the Chaplain, one who knew how and when to pray with patients, ‘as if’ my presence – which in some way represented God’s presence – would somehow bring peace and healing and comfort to their world.
So, with that introduction to the philosophy of “acting ‘as if,” did you happen to notice that in today’s Gospel, Jesus and his disciples were also acting ‘as if’? Jesus’ own hometown happened to be grumbling about him, questioning his teaching, authority and power. And just a few chapters earlier, Mark included the story about the time when Jesus’ own family came to take him away because they were certain he was out of his mind! I mean, Mark, the Gospel writer, is trying to desperately communicate that Jesus is the Messiah, so I can’t imagine why in the world he would willingly write about how Jesus “could do no deed of power there”!?! But Jesus was not undone or discouraged by their doubts or disrespect, or by their shameful treatment. Rather, Jesus goes the other way with it. Instead of putting his head down in defeat because he couldn’t convert the whole lot, Jesus actually returns to the mound, standing tall and strong, and expands his mission by sending the disciples out to do the same. Jesus acts ‘as if’ and then he instructs his disciples to do the same. So two by two they go out into the world, acting ‘as if,’ proclaiming that all should repent and believe in Jesus the Messiah. They had no manual. They had no church denominational structure. No committees or governance. And yet the disciples still acted ‘as if,’ and shared the Good News with all those they encountered.
Of course, the irony – or perhaps this speaks to the truth and power of this philosophy – is that the more the world tried to stop Jesus and deter his mission, the more the Holy Spirit responded by sending out more and more workers to do even more miraculous teachings and deeds! The disciples became apostles – which means “those who are sent” – in this very same chapter of Mark because they acted ‘as if’ they were apostles, fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to “Go!” They lived more and more fully into their identity as Jesus’ followers, all before they even knew exactly what that meant.
Acting ‘as if’ is about believing in things that don’t currently exist and that there may not be much evidence for. It’s about living a “faith-based” life, rather than an “evidence-based” life. When we choose to live with a strong faith in things not seen, not proven, and not guaranteed – we tap into the power of the possible, passing far beyond what’s expected, or what seems predictable.
All of us are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and to change the world to the honor and glory of God. We are called to be apostles, to make disciples out in the world. And make no mistake, the power comes from God, but our faith taps into God’s power in very real and unmistakable ways. This is not easy. Not at all. Our doubts and fears are definitely in play all the time. It’s not easy for me, even with this collar around my neck, which might suggest I’ve got it figured out. I don’t. Which is why, at the end of our liturgy, I pray with earnest sincerity when we ask God to give us strength and courage to go out into the world as apostles. We are asking God to be with us as we act ‘as if.’
So go, act ‘as if’ you can heal. Act ‘as if’ you can bring reconciliation and peace to a world in pain. It’s not pretending. It’s not faking it. It’s stepping forward, boldly, in the exact same faith of Christ and his disciples.
Amen.
Year B – Proper 9 – July 7, 2024 – The 7th Sunday After Pentecost – The Rev. Mary Davis
