Sunday Readings: Amos 7.12-15; Ephesians 1.3-14; Mark 6.7-13
Jesus called the twelve, began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. Jesus said to them “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 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” (Mark 6.7-11).
Why does Jesus send out twelve? Jesus’ intimate circle of followers includes many more than twelve. In fact, Mark tells us that many women followed and served Jesus throughout his ministry from its beginning in Galilee; they came with him to Jerusalem, and witnessed his death, burial, and resurrection (Mark 15.40-41).
Twelve has its significance as a symbol of the universality of Jesus’ mission. The number twelve looks back in history to the number of the tribes of ancient Israel. Sending out twelve apostles represents sending one missionary to every tribe. Jesus’ mission is to all of Israel and ultimately to all the peoples of the world.
We continue Jesus’ mission in our time just as the twelve do in Sunday’s gospel. We can testify to God’s presence in our lives. We can participate in helping friends and family members free their capacity to love from too much work or drink, or too little voice or purpose. We can attend the sick. In every generation disciples can find the way Jesus walked by living as Jesus lived and hanging out with sinners, sick people, and outcasts.
- Who have you helped through listening?
- How do you continue Jesus’ mission?