Musical Prelude and Service.

Mark 10:2-16
This is yet again one of those passages of scripture that prompts a great many questions. Jesus is asked a question about divorce. Apparently, he is being tested. Jesus answers. Yes, a man can divorce his wife. But ….
And we are left with our own questions. This passage along with others that are similar were used historically to shame or force people to stay in marriages that were, quite frankly unhealthy. I don’t want to get into details, but I believe it is reasonable to presume that most, if not all of us here have experienced divorce; either personally, or we know and love someone who has gone through a divorce.
But as we confront this passage of scripture, we find ourselves with a number of questions: How do we navigate this scripture? How do we read scripture? Do we stick with what is often called a plain reading or do we consider historical, cultural and literary contexts?
I welcome questions. They are not always comfortable questions, but I also believe strongly that it is in the questions and the conversations that ensue we find our way to a clearer understanding of the truths we may be searching for.
Exploring those questions requires a community – a circle that we can trust. A community in which we feel safe to ask those questions and share our thoughts and concerns.
Building such a community is part of our responsibility as a community of faith.
Today is also World Communion Sunday. It is a celebration we share with fellow Christians around the world and throughout the millennia. We certainly do not share the same thoughts and opinions on all matters with every other Christian. In fact, I am safe in saying there are certain subjects on which we are miles apart with other Christians, right here in Dunnville. But we are reminded through communion that we do share the body of Christ with them. We do need to remember that we are called to love and to care and do for them that we would have them do for us. It is a challenge, and it provokes questions.
Finally, Mark ends this particular section by noting Jesus chides his followers for pushing the children away. “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little children shall not enter”.
Receive these scriptures with wonder and with questions. Approach scripture with curiosity and skepticism. Ask questions, talk about it, wonder and debate. Pray and reflect. And along the way we may learn something new. Something about ourselves; about our concept of God and how we fit in God’s world.
And with that I want to look to the box of questions we introduced this morning.
Let’s look at a couple of questions and consider them briefly…

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789