It Takes a Village
2 Kings 5:1–14 Luke 10:1–11, 16–20
Preached by the Reverend Kathy Peters
July 4, 2010
You might say that our scripture lessons this morning are about the “little people”, the unnamed and surprising prophets who make things happen….the servant girl who urges Naaman to seek out the prophet Elisha, the messenger who brings word from Elisha, the servants who urge Naaman to swallow his pride and follow the instructions to wash in the river so he might be cleaned and of course the unnamed 70 who are sent out, traveling light to bring on Jesus’ behalf a word of peace and hope. Now in this age of often extreme political correctness where a BP chairperson needs to spend days apologizing for the term “small people” and reality shows chronicle the lives of real “little people” I ask you to receive this next assertion in the spirit in which it is given…..all of us sitting here this morning are the little people, able to be surprising prophets in our own corner of the world. We are not asked to be THE prophet, The savior, The movers and shakers. We are urged to be one of the little people, open to caring even if just by a word or small deed in consideration of the needs of others. We are sent out into our daily living like the seventy called to bring a greeting of peace and an acknowledgement of all that God has done for us so that we are enabled to do for others. Without fanfare, without the latest in broadcast equipment, without even the power of eloquent speech making, we can make a difference by the way that we live…..working together in community to bring hope and yes healing to a world so in need. It does take a village and we can be that village.
We can never know the total consequences of our actions. Many small, seemingly ignored actions, done by people motivated by compassion or horror at injustice, have changed history. Author Rebecca Solnit in her book Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities tells about a woman’s peace group standing in the rain in front of the White House attracting little attention. But Dr. Benjamin Spock saw them, and it became a turning point for him, a catalyst that changed him into a high profile activist for peace. (Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Life Pentecost 2010 p. 61)
Just a bit of knowledge about our own American history on this Independence Day can remind us that even small actions…riding a horse, sewing a flag, tossing tea into a harbor can change the course of history.
Author Frederick Buechner is quoted as saying that “Compassion is sometimes the capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.” (as quoted in S.A.M.U.E.L. ucc.org 7/04/2010) The “little people” in Naaman’s life had the capacity to see beyond themselves and “get into Naaman’s skin”. Even though he was the  powerful one, it was their compassion that moved him to receive and accept the healing that he needed.
Jesus sends out the seventy to bring the good news of God’s love, to offer a word of peace, to share a meal, to even do a healing or two and they return empowered and joy filled because of the work that they had done.  Jesus sends them out with a caution….if you are not received, shake the dust off your feet, announce the good news anyway and move on! And as they return he cautions them again….do not forget who gave you the power to heal and bring the good news…do not be too full of yourself even as you do this work! And Jesus tells them to travel light….leave aside your reliance on the things of the world and dare to receive hospitality from others.
So the word for us today is……See beyond yourself so that you can get into another’s skin and know their needs. Dare to travel light, offering a word of peace and hope and love. Know that you need not..in fact you cannot do this work alone…..it takes a village, a community of others, and the power and love of God. And do not be discouraged…you do not know when your actions, your words might bear fruit…perhaps long after you are gone.
So on this Independence Day let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of happiness — for ourselves and for all whom we encounter….for we know that happiness isn’t an isolated and individual experience. Instead, it comes from being part of a community in which God’s abundant goodness is shared and enjoyed by all. (adapted from Homiletics July 2010 p. 11)
Let us be that village of “little people” ever looking for the places and opportunities to bring by word and action, peace and hope to this world community in which we live.   Amen