14 July, 2024 | Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Am 7:12-15, Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10
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.
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
As the disciples are sent out on their mission they are instructed to remain in the same house that receives them as guests when they first enter a town. This means that the disciples must not move to another house which may offer them a more comfortable living arrangement. They must eat what is placed before them and never demand any special treatment from their host. Jesus gives these instructions to keep the disciples from seeking comfort for themselves or insulting their host by asking for things that he cannot afford to give. What does this teach us? In our daily witness to others too, sometimes we may tend to expect appreciation and rewards for the services or good we do. In such cases, we will slowly lose the focus of our Christian living, and fall into the selfish ways of working only for reward.
Activity:
Have complete trust in the provision of God.
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