FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, JULY 14, 2024

The mission of the apostles by Giambattista Bissoni (1631)

MASS READINGS

Gospel 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. 

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. 

The Twelve drove out many demons,

and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

REFLECTION

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two."

Interesting to see how many things are happening in just 6 verses:

• Jesus summons the twelve.

• Sends them two by two.

• To preach repentance, cure the sick and cast out demons

• Tells them not to bring anything extra (clothes, food, etc.)

• Only a walking stick and sandals.

• When they enter a home, stay there until they move on, and

• If a place rejects them, shake the dust of their feet in testimony against them.

This is the first missionary trip of the Apostles. He sends them with no money, extra tunic, or food. He is teaching them trust in the Divine Providence.

He is also delegating the missionary work. This first commission is also described in Matthew 10:1-15. In there Matthew adds: "As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you."

So Jesus sent them, and He sends us to proclaim the Gospel to others, but if the other person rejects it, then He tells the disciples to move on, and shake the dust off their feet.

Trying to think how this scenario applies to our current lives would be like when we try to reason with someone, and the other person won't even listen, they will scream at us bad words and other insults. Then I think it is when we simply should move on, and pray for this person's conversion. We cannot talk to someone that won't engage in dialog.

The tricky part here is not to lose our peace. It is really hard to keep our cool, and our good will towards someone that is acting irrationally or even violently against us. The hardest part, at least for me, is to keep God present during these times. To keep trying to fix things myself. I think this is when we need to take that step back. Bless that person, and move on. God knows we cannot bring everybody to Him, but He is asking us to still talk to others about Him, to get others to know Him. And hopefully to love and serve Him.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you find the words when you speak to others about God. And to help you be at peace whether they accept it or not.

Mary Queen of Peace ~ pray for us.