REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus’ followers are called “disciples” (Greek mathētai); they follow and learn from their Rabbi Jesus who teaches them how the Kingdom of God works in the hearts of human beings and in earthly realities. From his many disciples, Jesus chooses Twelve (dōdeka) and sends them to a mission to the towns and villages of Israel. Because they are sent, they are called “apostles” (Greek apostoloi, “sent”). 

The Twelve are sent out as representatives or envoys of Jesus, with authority and power from him to drive out demons, to heal the sick, and to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom. And just as he was rejected in Nazareth, Jesus prepares the Apostles for the reality that there will be people who will not believe, and some will even be hostile to both the message (Gospel) and the messengers (Apostles). Against those who will refuse to believe, the Twelve are to shake the dust off their feet as testimony against them. 

This practice follows the Jewish tradition of shaking off dust when leaving a pagan nation so that nothing unclean sticks with those returning to Israel. Because of their unbelief, the towns are marked as those pagan outsiders, outside the community of Jesus’ disciples who are the true Israel. As envoys of Jesus, the Apostles bring a life-giving and saving message, the refusal of which has dire consequences for the inhospitable people.

First Reading • Heb 12:18-19, 21-24 

Brothers and sisters: You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them. 

Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel. 

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 48 “O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.” 

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 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.