Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

In today's Gospel reading we are presented with Mark's account of Jesus sending the disciples out to minister to the sick and afflicted, and preach repentance. As He instructs them Jesus prepares them for the reality that not everyone will welcome them, or the message that they will proclaim. Nonetheless He sends them out relying on the hospitality of those they meet.

The result, Mark tells us, is that they healed many people, anointing them, and sharing the Good News of God's mercy and love. Given the almost pessimistic instructions that they are given - right down to how to shake the dust off their sandals as they leave behind those who refuse to listen - how can we account for the positive report Mark gives us of their mission?

Two things stand out to me. The first is that the message they are proclaiming is not their own. They didn't have to rely on heir own wisdom or come up with something to say. The disciples were formed for this mission by Jesus. They have been immersed in His teaching and go out with His words in their hearts and minds. As daunting as it would have been they have Him with(in) them.

The second is that they do not go out alone. Jesus sends them in pairs, to support and rely upon one another. It is from this that we can draw courage.

When we gather to celebrate Mass, we too are immersed in Jesus' word and nourished by the Eucharist. And, like the disciples, we too are sent out into the world at the conclusion of the Mass - go to love and serve the Lord - not to preach or perform miracles in Jesus' name, but to be merciful, to show patience and compassion, and to love our family and our colleagues as God loves us, unconditionally.

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