Fifteenth Sunday Gospel B

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 

· Up to this point, Jesus had invited them to follow him as disciples. Later they would be fishers of men. (Mk 1:16-20)  Then he selected twelve of the many disciples who followed him and gave them authority. (Mk 3:13-19) Now, as fishers of men, while still in formation, he missions them to act in his name and power.

· Why do you think he sent them out two by two? Could it be for support and companionship, for intercessory prayer? Could this be a model for us?

· What has our journey with Jesus been like since we first followed him?

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. 

· Why these instructions? They were to be totally dependent on God to provide for them since they were doing the work of the Lord.

· How comfortable are we to totally dependent on the Lord to provide everything for us as we do the work he calls us to do?

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He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 

· This was to avoid seeking better accommodations with more comfort.

· This was to avoid focus on self and not on the ministry.

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Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." 

· This was a public sign that those who were rejecting the Word and ministry of God will themselves be rejected by God.

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So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 

· Here is the foundation of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick with the oil blessed by the Bishop.

· What do we take from reflections on this reading?

· How comfortable are we in sharing our faith with others and exercising the gifts of the Spirit?