by Deacon Michael Bickerstaff | July 14, 2024 12:05 am
“Lord, help me to see those people you place in my path today and how I am to be your witness to them. Open my heart to love them, give me knowledge and wisdom to know what you ask, and fill me with courage to say yes to you.” Amen!
Today’s gospel tells of the time the Lord sent out his Twelve Apostles, two-by-two, to join in his work.
Earlier in Mark’s gospel, Jesus had invited these men to follow him as his disciples and, since then, they had been with him as the Lord proclaimed the good news, drove out demons, healed the sick, and restored life.
They had assisted the Lord in his work, but now the Twelve begin a more active role in the Lord’s missionary work. He sent them out in pairs, on their own, to share in his work.
“And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits… So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.”
– Mark 6:7,12-13
He gave them specific instructions that would equip and guide them in this work.
First, he gave them authority! It is not solely their work. It is work on the Lord’s behalf. They are sent forth.
Second, he instructed them to take nothing but a walking stick and the clothes they wore… no money, no food, nor even a sack to carry provisions and donations.
Third, they were to stay in one house while visiting a town and not to move around.
I believe this was to emphasize that it is the Lord’s work they were sent to do and that the Lord would provide. This would also guard against their ministry becoming corrupted by a sense of celebrity.
Finally, in telling them to shake the dust from their feet if they were not welcomed, was a clear message that not everyone is open to the message of the Lord.
All of this both begins and anticipates the missionary work of the Church that continues in our own time. In an important sense, it is an early indication of the Lord’s intention to send out apostles with the same authority he was sent once he returns to the Father. Jesus makes this reality even more evident and clear later in his public ministry.
Bishops, priests, deacons and religious brothers and sisters certainly have a special role in this mission, but being a witness for Christ is not exclusive to them alone. It is important that each of us recognize that we are sent out by virtue of our baptism.
I know this goes against the prevailing culture. It probably even goes against what your family taught you. How many of you have heard the old saying to never discuss politics and religion? We have to get past that.
I grew up along the Gulf Coast in Biloxi and was a teenager during the 60s. I would often encounter protestant teens and young adults who would excitedly take to the streets to witness for Christ. That is how they would refer to their efforts to share Christ’s good news. “Let‘s go witness!” And they often went out two-by-two.
As I’ve shared with many you before, these passionate, young Christians were an inspiration to me! Their eagerness and urgency to share the good news made an impact on my thinking. In fact, my first, non-Catholic friend and I met when we were both in grade school. I was then a Catholic school kid, and he was in public school. His love of Jesus Christ and his eagerness to share that faith with me led to years of friendship, discussion and prayer. I have no doubt the Lord placed him in my life. He was a missionary disciple.
Now hear me on this, each of us should strive to be missionary disciples who are fully alive in Jesus Christ, reflecting his love and mercy! That’s who we aspire to be as the local family of God at St. Peter Chanel.
Let’s just be clear… we are to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.
This call was not just for his Twelve Apostles. It is not just for priests, deacons and religious… the Lord calls everyone who has come to believe in Him and the Resurrection to be his witness and share the good news with others.
“Whoa, Deacon Mike,” you might say! “So, what does that mean in practical terms? What do I have to do to be a missionary disciple? I don’t think I can do that!”
Well, let’s start with what it is not. It does not mean that you have to go door-to-door in your neighborhood asking people if they have a personal relationship with Jesus. Although door-to-door outreach can work. It also does not mean you have to talk about Jesus in every conversation you have with family, friends, or strangers. Although you should be willing talk about Jesus when the opportunity is right.
Being a witness for Christ begins with your commitment to intentionally follow the Lord as his disciple, as the Twelve did. We need to be able and willing:
Most of all, it is lived out by how you and I treat and respect others. But it is also important that people know that what I do is guided by who I am, a child of God and follower of Jesus.
God calls on us in the ordinary moments of each day – within the family, at work, while shopping, during school. He opens doors for us to live, act, and speak as his witness.
Being a missionary disciple who shares the gospel is so important that in the western Church, we have named our Divine Liturgy, The Mass, taken from the deacon’s dismissal at the end of the liturgy, ite missa est. Living out God’s will throughout these ordinary moments of life is so important that our Eucharist Worship has been named for our being sent out into the world to live it.
“Go forth, the Mass is ended.”
“Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
“Go and announce the Gospel.”
Let me ask you to do this. Each morning when you wake up, give thanks to the good God for seeing you safely through the night and granting you a new day. In addition to your morning offering, pray this… “Lord, help me to see those people you place in my path today and how I am to be your witness to them. Open my heart to love them, give me knowledge and wisdom to know what you ask, and fill me with courage to say yes to you.” Amen!
Into the deep…
The scripture readings during Holy Mass for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Tine (Year B) are: Amos 7:12-15 | Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 | Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10 | Mark 6:7-13[1]
Image credit: Domenico Ghirlandaio[2], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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