REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus has in mind the benefit to his apostles when they travel by pairs. Aside from the practical help from a companion, such arrangement has a deep significance. Traveling alone could give a wrong notion to the apostle that the mission he is pursuing is a personal project. He might also be tempted to take all the credit for the positive outcome of the mission; conversely, if he encounters setbacks in the mission, he might fall into despair.
In sending the apostles in tandem, Jesus wants to remind them that their mission will always be part of a greater whole. One does not work, or succeed, or fail, by oneself. Every little deed is the work of the whole Church. And even before that, it is the work of the Lord himself, as St. Paul explains: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth” (1 Cor 3:6-7).
Gospel • MARK 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.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.