THE WORD
1 Kgs 2,1-4.10-12 / Mk 6,7-13
[Jesus] summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance, they drove-out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
IN OTHER WORDS
The gospel reports the mission of the apostles to the towns of Israel. For some time the apostles had been accompanying Jesus, who went through villages and towns to preach the good news of the kingdom of God and to cure the sick. Now the apostles themselves were sent by Jesus to preach repentance and the way of salvation. Since they did not go out to practice any trade or commerce, they were not to burden themselves with many belongings. Thus they would all the more be free to preach the good news.
Jesus considered the possibility that the apostles would not be accepted with benevolence everywhere they went. There are people who do not want to hear of an honest life, of repentance, of renunciation of unjust pro t, or of service of God. They do not want to be disturbed in their tranquil life, even if it is decayed tranquillity and hallow peace. They refuse the offer of salvation.
In the midst of this situation, the apostles, nevertheless, were called to persevere in proclaiming the word of God. They should turn elsewhere, to people willing to welcome them because the message of the kingdom cannot be silenced. Repentance is part of that message. But the other part is the cure of the sick and the liberation from unclean spirits. Healed in their bodies, but much more so in their hearts, people will be free to accept God’s invitation to be His children and live as His children. It is clear from the instruction of Jesus: people must be willing to accept his messengers and the good news they preach in his name. Where the word of God is accepted in the hearts of believers, there God descends with his grace and there his peace will dwell.
- Karl Peschke, SVD | Vienna, Austria
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
