Thursday, February
7, 2002
4th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading:
1 K 2:1-4, 10-12
Gospel: Mk 6:7-13
Jesus
called the Twelve to him and began to send them out two by two, giving
them authority over evil spirits. And he ordered them to take nothing
for the journey except a staff; no food, no bag, no money in their belts.
They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic.
And he added, "In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until
you leave the place. If any place doesn't receive you and the people refuse
to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet. It will
be a testimony against them."
So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. They drove
out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them.
Commentary
Jesus sends out the Twelve. Twelve, representing the twelve tribes of
Israel, symbolizes that everybody among the people of God must be first
a disciple and later on an apostle. Before, the Twelve accompanied Jesus;
they were listening to him, learning from him, now Jesus sends them ahead
of him. The Twelve were of very different personalities and they were
to go two by two. They must preach from their universality and unity,
two aspects that can be of help in our world today. If we accept and even
celebrate our differences, and at the same time we show great concern
for one another, the world will believe. We shouldn't trust in our talents,
skills or means, but in the Lord. How many unnecessary and useless things
we gather become an obstacle rather than a help to our mission!