Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
He called the Twelve to him, and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits. And he ordered them to take nothing for the journey, except a staff: no food, no bag, no money in their belts. They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic. And he added, “In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place. If any place doesn’t receive you, and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them.” So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them.

Reflections
“In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place.”
Heretofore, as Jesus and his dis­ciples have wandered the country­ side, he has done all the teaching and healing. The disciples watched and learned from his example. Je­sus knows there will come a time when the disciples will have to stand on their own, without him. And so he sends them out on their first trial. Here we see a glimpse of the post­ Easter church. Jesus did not gather followers just to serve as witnesses to his short­ lived ministry. They were to be the seed of a new movement, a new family, that would carry on and extend the message that he embodied. Jesus also offered a model of the ideal missionary, who does not come with wealth or the trappings of power and privilege. The missionary ­disciple does not compel others to listen or accept his teachings; all he offers is the attraction of his message and the authenticity of his witness. Many priests and religious have served the church in sprea­ding the gospel to fields afar. But Pope Francis has reminded us that all Christians are called to be “mis­sionary disciples.” What the disci­ples in this story did, so are we all charged to do—bearing witness to the gospel in our own homes and communities.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019