Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B July 15, 2018

First Reading
Amos 7:12-15
The prophet Amos is sent from Bethel.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 85:9-10,11-12,13-14
A prayer for the Lord’s salvation

Second Reading
Ephesians 1:3-14 ( shorter form Ephesians 1:3-10)
Paul teaches that we were chosen for Christ before the creation of the
world.

Gospel Reading
Mark 6:7-13
Jesus instructs his disciples and sends them to preach repentance.

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.
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.


Background on the Gospel Reading
This week’s Gospel and the one for next week describe how Jesus sent the
disciples to minister in his name and the disciples’ return to Jesus
afterward. These two passages, however, are not presented together in
Mark’s Gospel. Inserted between the two is the report of Herod’s fears that
Jesus is John the Baptist back from the dead. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’
ministry is presented in connection with the teaching of John the Baptist.
Jesus’ public ministry begins after John is arrested. John the Baptist
prepared the way for Jesus, who preached the fulfillment of the Kingdom of
God.

While we do not read these details about John the Baptist in our Gospel
this week or next week, our Lectionary sequence stays consistent with
Mark’s theme. Recall that last week we heard how Jesus was rejected in his
hometown of Nazareth. The insertion of the reminder about John the
Baptist’s ministry and his death at the hands of Herod in Mark’s Gospel
makes a similar point. Mark reminds his readers about this dangerous
context for Jesus’ ministry and that of his disciples. Preaching repentance
and the Kingdom of God is dangerous business for Jesus and for his
disciples. Mark wants his readers to remember that we, too, may find
resistance as we choose to be disciples of Jesus.

Mark’s Gospel tells us that Jesus sent out the Twelve. These twelve were
selected from among Jesus’ disciples and named by Mark in chapter 3. Mark
notes that these twelve are also called “apostles.” The word apostle means
“one who is sent.” The number twelve is also a symbolic number,
representing the twelve tribes of Israel. By naming twelve apostles, Jesus
shows his mission to be in continuity with the mission of God’s people,
Israel.

Jesus’ instructions to the apostles are very specific. He repeats the
mission that they are sent to preach and to share his authority to heal and
to drive out demons. Jesus sends them in pairs, establishing his mission as
a communal endeavor. Jesus also instructs them to travel lightly, without
the customary food, money, and extra set of clothes. These instructions
mean that the Twelve will be dependent on the hospitality of others, just
as Jesus depended on others to provide for his needs.

Jesus continues to send us into the world as his disciples. But like the
first disciples, we are not sent alone. Jesus has given us the community of
the Church, which strengthens our life of discipleship. The Christian
message can only authentically be proclaimed in and through the community
of faith that is the Church. In our work with others, we build this
community of faith and can invite others to share in it.


Family Connection

Families who work together to accomplish routine household tasks know that
the benefits are more than efficiency. In sharing daily tasks, we
accomplish more, but we also build relationships that last—and it’s a lot
more fun! Jesus sent his disciples in pairs to minister in his name.
Perhaps the job was accomplished more effectively this way, but more
importantly, Jesus’ mission was accomplished more authentically. The
Christian message can only authentically be proclaimed in and through the
community of faith. In our work with others, we build this community of
faith and can invite others to share in it.

As you gather as a family, talk about some household tasks that are more
easily accomplished when two or more people work together. Talk about how
working together not only makes the job easier, but also makes the task
more fun because we are able to spend time together. Read together today’s
Gospel, Mark 6:7-13. Ask: Why do you think Jesus sent out his disciples in
pairs? Observe that Jesus continues to give us a community with which we
share our life of discipleship—our family and the community of the Church.
Conclude in prayer together that we will continue to rely on the support of
the community of the Church in our life of discipleship. Pray together
the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings