Mark 6:1-13
1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
What is this wisdom He was given?
After three years of teaching, preaching and healing in Galilee, it is time to send His disciples to proclaim the good news and to give them the most appropriate guidance on how to accomplish this mission.
We are invited to take a few minutes to read the text, a few minutes to reflect on the essence of what Jesus is doing, and a few minutes to consider what we are called to do as Jesus' disciples today. May the following points help us in our reflection and in our response to Jesus' trust in us.
Freely you received, freely give. All that we are and all that we have is given freely by God. He calls us to share it with others freely.
Team work--on your own, you are not the Church. Without you, the Church is not what it should be. Jesus sends us as a team. "When two or three gather together in my Name, I'll be among them" Matthew 18:20.
Trust the One who sends us. Travel light. Practice contentment in life. Stick to the necessary. Share with others.
Expect rejections and failures in life, but never lose hope and courage to redress and continue the way that leads to the target.
When you encounter rejection and resistance, proclaim the truth without fear or hesitation.
Keep in mind that the Boss is with us. He cares for us and provides us with all we need.
Remember always that we are sent by Jesus and must return to Him with a report about our achievements. He will weigh and value our efforts with His positive will.
Most important is to keep proclaiming the core of our Christian Faith and hope, which is to repent unto God's Love and Friendship, and to build a Kingdom so that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
May we love with His heart, see with His eyes and work with Him hand in hand.
What do I have to do to be His disciple, sent today into the world in which I live? Be generous, give a few minutes more and read the text again. Respond to the last question. Rejoice with Jesus and in Him.