Has a new, young coworker ever told you that you don’t know how to do the job you’ve been doing for over twenty years? Or maybe you presented a new insight only for the “powers that be” to insist on doing things the way they’ve “always been done.” I’m sure we can all think of a time when we’ve offered an opinion (or even stated a concrete fact) and were dismissed by the listener. Whether in a boardroom or at our own kitchen tables, each of us knows the frustration that comes from this type of human interaction. Rest assured, Jesus knew it, too!
In today’s gospel reading (Luke 10:1-9 or Luke 10:1-12, 17-20), we hear of Jesus sending out 72 disciples. He tells them to go out, minister among the people, cure the sick, and proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God. He prepares them, though, for the reality that not everyone will welcome their message. He instructs them: “When you enter a town and are not welcomed, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you.’” Don’t get hung up on the word “against.” This response isn’t one of hatred or revenge; it is based on the idea of recognizing when the listeners aren’t open to our message, moving on, and letting go. In the context of Jesus’ mandate, in which His followers are always to choose love over everything else, it makes perfect sense. Jesus wants His disciples to love themselves enough to avoid futile and frustrating pursuits. He also wants them to provide their audience with a clean break, essentially saying, “Okay. We’ll leave you alone. Obviously, you aren’t ready to hear what we are saying. We take nothing from you, and you owe us nothing.” By following Jesus’ guidance, they part ways with complete autonomy—an autonomy that respects the individual decision-making of all involved.
Jesus’ guidance remains relevant for us today. We encounter many situations where agreeing to disagree is the only path forward. Handling these situations with grace means leaning into an expression of courteous goodwill that is built on respecting someone enough to choose to move on and let go. How can we respond with grace when we feel dismissed? Sometimes, that might mean the use of a few, well-chosen words. At other times, remaining silent and eating a bit of “humble pie” might be the best path. Still, maybe it is something else. Whichever way, Paul’s often-repeated greeting, featured in today’s second reading (Galatians 6:14-18), still resonates: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.” Whether asking for God’s grace as an unmerited gift of divine assistance in the moment, or as an expression of courteous goodwill, I pray that all of your encounters be overflowing with God’s abundant grace.
