FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR B
Amos 7: 12-15; Ps 85
Eph 1;3-14; Mk 6:7-13
A TASTE OF MISSION
Having been rejected at Nazareth, his own hometown, Jesus turns the attention of his activities to Galilee. At this time, he begins to delegate and share the responsibility of the mission with his disciples. He did not desire to be a lone star. We may consider this mission as part of their training. A kind of trial mission for them. As he sent them, he gave them instructions. These instructions are to guide every one who wills to participate in the mission of Jesus.
The sending of the disciples at this time seems sudden and should surprise the reader. This is because, they did not show any sign that they were ready or reassuring. But what Jesus does by this act is to teach that, what is essential in evangelization is an experience and an encounter with Jesus. No one needs academic qualification to evangelize. An evangelised evangelizer bears spiritual fruits of soul winning than the evangelised academic. Evangelization is about our own stories of the encounter with the forgiving and merciful Jesus, who renews and restores us to the dignity of the Children of God through Jesus Christ. For we speak of that “which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life” (1 Jn 1:1). Do you want to participate in Jesus’ mission? You have to be converted.
When he called them, he sent them two by two (Mk 6:7). As he shares his ministry with them, he wants them to know that the mission of evangelization cannot be monopolised. The evangelization of the world is a co-operate and communal activity; it does not belong to one group in the church, one single church or an individual. We are all needed. Sending them two by two helps to complement each other’s gifts. It is also to provide good company for the ministry of evangelization. Jesus recognises that we may face rejection and loneliness sometimes, but when we are bonded in the one purpose of diffusing the good news, we can comfort one another. Thirdly, it was to fulfil the law of evidence of the Torah that requires the testimony of two; “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15).
They were not to take food, money or bag. In this instruction, Jesus wants them to know that they can only depend on God who has called them into this mission. The one who calls will make the provision needed for the mission. And the truth is that God has never failed in making the provision needed for his people.
The instruction not to take a bag is very important. This is because at the time of Jesus, there were others who also performed miracles but they charged people. This instruction was to differentiate the disciples of Jesus from these others who collected money for their services. He didn’t want his disciples to seek personal gain from the ministry. All those we find these days collecting money for this special ministry are charlatans and must be shunned.
They were also to take only one tunic and not two. Generally, garments are symbols of identity. To instruct them to take only one tunic or “garment” is to give them a single identity as his disciples. Evangelizers must not have two identities or personalities but must be single minded missionaries of the gospel. They must have integrity of soul, spirit and attitude.
The other group of instructions was on what to take. They were to take a staff. Staff is used for protection and support. They were not angels or super humans, neither are we. They would need the basic essential and necessities of life. The evangelizer should rely on the basic needs of life and not seek to be comfortable. Lack of material provision then should not become a hindrance to the proclamation and propagation of the gospel. In this way, we will learn to pay attention to the poor in our community. This prohibits the trend these days where it seems supposed men of God show forth their wealth as indication of the authenticity of their call. How is that compelling and challenging to the world? Which man of God can be richer than the richest man in the world? It is therefore a fruitless venture and unsanctioned by Jesus. Jesus abhors all Christians who glory in the filth of their riches. Riches is not bad but it must not become and end in itself.
The staff is also a symbol of power and authority. Jesus sends them with power and authority to proclaim the gospel and to subdue the power of Satan. The commitment to this mission will make this power and authority evident in the ministry of evangelization. May every activity of evangelization be backed by the power and authority of Jesus.
Jesus also advised them to take sandals. In fact, they were to take the staff and sandals. This instruction brings to mind the story of the exodus where the Israelites were to eat the Passover meal with sandals on their feet and staff in their hand. They were being sent to announce a new exodus which Jesus brings. We who are Christians and called to evangelization must see ourselves as people called to bring a new exodus to our broken world. A world broken and fractured like ours needs Jesus. The sandals is also a symbol of movement. It is an indication to move on as we face rejection of the message. When a group of people reject the message, move on to the other community. We should not focus on the seeming failure because Jesus has said HE will build his church. We should never forget that.
In giving this instruction about what to take and what not to take for the mission, Jesus indicates that nothing about the interest of his disciple should become a hindrance to the propagation of the gospel. He calls us to mend and heal the world. And they must meet Jesus when they meet us. But they will never meet Jesus in us when we look like them.
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
