GOSPEL, Mark (6:7-13)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

The Mission of the Twelve

Then he went about among the villages teaching. ⁷ He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸ He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; ⁹ but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. ¹⁰ He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. ¹¹ If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹² So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³ They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Gospel of the Lord

 

REFLECTION

In this Sunday’s evangelical proclamation, we hear of the first apostolic mission, the sending of the twelve apostles. Jesus sent them two by two to give the mission a sense of community.

This mission is a priceless gift from the Lord; He chooses those He wants, and sends them out to deliver the message of salvation that comes from Him, the Saviour. And in such a way they proclaim a message that is not theirs, but Jesus’. They are to travel in pairs, not dependent of any means of protection, but only by the gift of the Lord who sends them, (vv.8) “He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts”. They were to be stripped of riches, greed, pride, avarice and vanity, taking nothing for the way.

According to John Paul II in the Apostolic Exhortation “Redemptoris Missio”, the mission entrusted to the Church is very far from being achieved. An overall view of the human race shows that this mission is still only beginning and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service.

At this present time, as Christians, it would be irresponsible and unworthy to fold our arms and do nothing. “The love of Christ impels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14), to unity as a people of God. As the catholic faithful, we have a greater obligation of bearing witness to the faith and to the Christian life as a service to our brothers and sisters as a fitting response to God.

 As “missionaries”, we need to be free from all forms of attachment to material possessions, following the Gospel in its most pure instruction, free from all pride and desire for power, with a clear awareness that we are here to serve. Not be served.

As Christians, we are called to find ways through, by and for love, to break through the fences raised by a system of power, which often generates hatred, revenge, injustice, hunger and death.

 

PRAYER

We bless you God of apostles and prophets, through Jesus Christ, your First, sent on a mission of peace and love, to announce to the poor the joy of deliverance, to give health to the sick and to reap the abundant harvest.

Lord Jesus, teach us to be generous, to serve You, as You deserve, to work for your glory without seeking respite. Amen.