No one dared

 Mark’s gospel pulls no punches. Straight talk - urgent action - this gospel has everything except a birth story…and a genealogy…and only the suggestion of the resurrection (the tomb is empty and everyone is afraid…so abrupt that it’s clear that the explanations have been added after the fact - Mark 16:8-20)

  So it has almost everything.

What Mark’s gospel offers us is a breathless look at the breathless work that Jesus is doing; engaging with the ‘experts’ and confounding them, and bringing people to a different awareness of the divine in the process.

After a confusing back-and-forth with a group of Saducees (folks who were not convinced of the eternal nature of religious thinking - the secular humanists of the day) about marriage after resurrection (because they did not believe in the idea of resurrection) a Scribe (an expert int he law - responsible for transmitting scripture and interpretation through text) takes a chance and asks something important - “What is the greatest commandment?”

The answer to this is going to be the key to life, right? If you know the best way to God’s favour - the most important law in the canon of law - then you’re on your way to living your ‘best life,’ right? Good in the present - good for eternity; all bases covered.

Jesus answer is one for the ages.

God is one - Love God and love your neighbour as yourself. Mic. Drop.

This particular scribe seems to lean towards social activism., for he agrees enthusiastically that this is ‘more important that all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ So much for religious traditionalism and faithful observance of ritual and ordinance.

Mark is bold to suggest that after this exchange ‘no one dared ask him any question.’

Turns out, that’s not entirely true

People have questioned Jesus ever since. Faithful folk ask for guidance and advice through prayer or the study of Scripture. Sceptical folk question Jesus methods, his memory and even his existence. The tone of Mark’s gospel is closer to admiration than consternation: ‘this guy (as rowan Atkinson’s preacher reminds us) is good!”

That love is the last word in this exchange is not surprising. Jesus’ people have been trying to live out that love for all the generations since. And when we forget about love in favour of something else, we find no lasting glory.

So when the Presbyterian Church in Canada decided - 75 years ago - that organized global outreach was an essential part of the pattern of faithful living, I think it is safe to safe that the project was motivated by this greatest of commandments.

Presbyterians have long had a global vision. John & Charolette Geddie in Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides) Jonathan Goforth in China, George MacKay in Taiwan to name but a few; bringing the gospel to folks in far-flung places is a solid, Christian habit, and Presbyterians are solid Christians. 

But where our missionaries were tasked with teaching and spreading the faith, Presbyterian World Service and Development has been striving to live out the collective Christian faith of the denomination in places of desperate need. The mission statement of PWS&D says this about the work:

Faithful to our calling, we respond together.

Presbyterian, ecumenical and inclusive in our practice of faith, we gladly serve women and men, young and old, according to their need and regardless of their faith. In a world with too much poverty, injustice and oppression concentrated in nations of the South, we recognize the interrelation between our affluence and the suffering of others. We are committed to service with churches and organizations seeking sustainable transformation of their communities, upholding compassion, justice, and partnership.

We undertake development, emergency and refugee activities that restore human dignity, ease the pain of want, promote self-help and encourage community cooperation that benefits all. We are sensitive to gender issues, empowerment of the marginalized and the protection of human rights.

We promote awareness of global issues, connecting Canadians to the needs of others throughout the world.

Their theological statement is equally important. As people ‘rooted in the living hope of Jesus Christ and inspired by God’s promise of abundant life’ the statement goes on to say:  “We believe peace and well-being are God’s will for creation. As we respond together to the world’s pain and despair, we bear witness to the love of God among us.”

The work that PWS&D is engaged in even now - work towards food security and maternal education; disaster relief and medical clinics; education and a commitment to working cooperatively, to honour the humanity of those we would help - These are the hallmarks of ‘love of God and neighbour’ that Jesus championed, and that the church - at her best - brings to life. It is work that crosses theological boundaries, blurs political ideologies and strives to break down social and economic inequalities. It is the work of the whole church.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could apply those principles of love and ‘blurry boundaries’ to our work here at home?

Wouldn’t the church be more credible if we were less inclined to distinctions and more often moved by love?

Presbyterians have demonstrated that we can act in loving partnership on a grand scale, and we give thanks to God for 75 years of prayerful, faithful partnerships developed and maintained by PWS&D. Pray that we might apply the lessons they have learned as we live out our faith day to day, community to community, person to person.