15^th Sunday of the Year - B

Amos 7: 12-15; Psalm 84; Ephes. 1: 3-14; Mark. 6: 7-13

Read: At that time, Jesus called the Twelve, and he started sending them out two by two, at the same time giving them the power over evil spirits. He warned them not to take anything with them for their journey except a staff; no bread, no haversack, no money in their purses. They were to wear sandals but not to take a spare tunic. He told them: ”When you enter a home remain there until you leave the district. But if you are not welcomed anywhere and people refuse to listen to you, leave that place and, as you walk away, shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them”. Thus, they went forward evangelising so that the people could be redeemed; and they expelled many devils, and anointed many sick who were healed.

Reflect: He became poor so that they would become free could be the motto that brings together the conditions that Jesus laid down in today’s Gospel to those who are called upon to spread his word. The Lord ordered the Church to preach his Good News. Every baptised is obliged to evangelise. We cannot love Jesus and at the same time do not give importance to the need to ascertain whether or not others love him. This does not mean that we should impose our beliefs on others. However, one should explain one’s beliefs in a civil way and with respect. In that way we offer our beliefs. The best way of evangelising is our way of life: “In the same way your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they make give praise to your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5: 16).

How we pass this on this knowledge is important. But quite apart from anything else, the most important thing remains the power of God. That is why Jesus told them not to take anything with them except a staff. The most important thing was, and remains, that we rely on God. If we do not have faith in God, we will have second thoughts and we will not be able to proclaim the Good News.

Pray: Lord, we are so reluctant to place our faith in You, but You trust us with closed eyes. Not because you are unaware of our nothingness because you do know that hand-in-hand with You we will get there.

Act:  Let us not be closed within ourselves. Let us not seek our own comfort zone, but welcome God’s call to go out to evangelise, firstly and above everything else, by our way of living.