5-Feb-15

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 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.
The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection:
Three important realities stand out in this gospel passage.
First, the twelve had no power of their own. Jesus gave them "authority" and their "power" came from the depth of their faith in Him.
Second, it is clear from our Lord's instructions concerning their dress and what they were "not" to take on their journey that Jesus intended that the apostles should be humble and depended on God alone.
Third, their message was simple, "Repentance!" They were not asking people to do great things; they were saying '"repent" from those habits and behaviors that are separating you from God.
The same is true for Christians today.
Our ability to find the courage to talk to others about Christ is contingent on the depth of our faith in His message of unconditional love.
Our ability to have others relate and trust us is determined by our conveying of Christ's message in a humble and non-judgmental manner.
Our ability to effectively preach repentance is dependent upon our experience of the reality of Christ's forgiveness in our own lives.