Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, February 14, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Boy, Jesus sure makes following him appealing. He tells his disciples straight—following me is going to leave a mark. The world is hostile to his message of justice, equity, and humility. Carrying that message and speaking truth to power is dangerous. But Jesus knows that his disciples—that we—can handle it. We just can’t walk into it blind.
It will take both wisdom and innocence to get the message across, Jesus says. I wonder about that. Wisdom makes sense—know who to talk to and how to approach them; don’t go alone; watch your back; have your talking points down cold’ know when to push and when to negotiate. But innocence? Maybe that’s the adherence to the fact that all this work will make a difference. That in the end, Jesus’ message will win the day—people will change, justice and equity will come. Innocence as opposed to cynicism.
I’m not sure which is harder, wisdom or innocence. Probably wisdom. I’ve seen so many great people do so much great work and so few lasting results. It can be disheartening. We need that innocence to keep going. It reminds me of part of the “Non-traditional Blessing” by Sr. Ruth Fox, OSB, in which she writes, “May God bless you with the foolishness to think you can make a difference in this world, so you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.” That blessing was set to music by my friend Bret Hesla—you can listen to it here. I wish that blessing on all of us today.
Which do I think is more difficult in sharing the good news: wisdom or innocence? Why?