Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

 

Gospel Reading: 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.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ empowers the Twelve Apostles to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven. He sent them not only to proclaim the Word, but also to heal the sick and have authority over unclean spirits. He gave them the power to heal us physically and spiritually. He tells them “to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick —no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” Jesus requires them to be free from all the earthly attachments which might prevent them preaching the truth. If we are bond to our earthly possessions, they will divert our attention. Jesus let them know that their needs would be met and that all they needed to worry about is preaching the Good News. The Apostles whose mission was to bring forth the Kingdom of God, did not need to rely upon worldly items but on God’s own divine intervention. Whatever they needed was provided by those lives that they changed. Do we not feel compelled to give to those who help us? We feel the need to repay them for their service. The basic human needs of the Apostles were a fringe benefit from doing God’s will.

 

We too are called to be missionaries of the Good News. God tells us to go forth and spread the Word. We too should be willing to forgo our earthly needs and place our trust in God that he will provide everything we need. Sometimes we are asked to do things that absolutely scare us. I have to believe that the Apostles were just a little bit scared when Jesus sent them out into the World to preach the Good News. You can almost hear them say, “But Jesus…” And Jesus replies, “Do not worry for my Father will take care of your needs.” Through the graces from God which they preached, their needs were met. The simple message is that we should not neglect our spiritual needs by worrying about the worldly things. We must release the burdens which tie us to earth and keep us from heaven. How can we ask others to sacrifice if we are not willing to sacrifice ourselves. The more earthly treasures we give up, the more room we make for Christ in our lives. If our life is filled with new cars, X Box, electronic gadgets and new clothes, how can we find space for Christ. Do you set aside time for others in need? Do you set aside time for your family and friends? Do you set aside time for Christ?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you gave me the power to proclaim the gospel.

Give me the power to say yes an go forth into the world.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon