The Mission of the Twelve [July 15, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [July 15, 2012]

Mark 6:7-13

 7He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.11Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12So they went off and preached repentance.13They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

 Reflection

“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” ~ v. 8

After a period of “apprenticeship.” Jesus sends the twelve to preach the need for repentance, with authority to cast out unclean spirits. They have to go “two by two,” that their witnessing may be considered trustworthy and valid (cf Deuteronomy 19:15) and so that they may mutually support each other. Then they have to forego whatever smacks of security and comfort: no food, traveling bag, money, second tunic, making do with the clothes on their body and a walking stick. They should not choose their lodging but should accept whatever is offered to them.

In his missionary discourse to the apostles, Jesus raises the fundamental issue of giving witness to their message. Simplicity of lifestyle is fundamental. This is best reflected in the poverty of the preachers. Though the Word of God may be similar to a seed that contains its own power to grow, it grows faster if the sower is fit for the job. To be effective “sowers,” the apostles must be poor and unencumbered by attachment to material possession.

The early Christian communities were already familiar with preachers who did not always preach Christ with pure motives, making a “profitable living” out of the Gospel. That is why the apostle Paul, though saying that the preacher should derive his keep from the Gospel, supported himself by the labor of his own hands so as not to provide a pretext for people to doubt his motives.

The Didache (Teaching), which may be the oldest example of Christian literature outside of the New Testament, provides a clear test of genuineness of the preacher. “A missioner at his departure (from the Christian community he evangelized) should accept nothing but as much provisions as will last him to his next night’s lodging. If he asks for money, he is not a genuine missioner… if any charismatic speaking in a trance, says, ‘Give me money’ (for anything else), do not listen to him. On the other hand, if he bids you give it to someone else who is need nobody should criticize him.”

In the last decade, some famous TV evangelists fell from grace due to scandals of expensive and loose living. When they were just starting their preaching activity and had little money, they loved people and used things. But when money came, they started to use people and love things.

Pope Paul VI writes about the importance of the witness of life: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than teachers, and if he listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (Evangelii Nuntiandi n 41). Any Christian who commits himself to the task of evangelization must take to heart the missionary discourse of Jesus.

Reflection Credits: Fr. Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP, On the Way to the Cross

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).