The theme of evangelization is continued in the account of Jesus' sending forth his disciples. It is an anticipation of the missionary send off in Mark 16. For the moment, the Twelve are missionaries in training following the rules that real missionaries use as guidelines for their work. The paucity of amenities makes for a light baggage that facilitates the spread of the Good News. The missionaries will have to depend on Divine Providence and the goodwill of men.
Read the article about the Sunday gospel and use the following for your guide.
1. The Twelve were the same people whom Jesus chose and called to be with him. In the account of Mark 6:7-13, they finally become partners of Jesus in the proclamation of the Kingdom and preaching of repentance. They too begin to share in his authority in driving out unclean spirits. When Jesus sent them forth, they were already prepared to do the work for which they were chosen.
Reflect. The Twelve were first disciples who listened to their Teacher and learned from Him. By baptism, we began to share in the prophetic office of Christ. We were baptized to proclaim the Good News. Has the time come for you to do your work? Or are you still using the period of "being with the Lord" as an excuse to shirk your responsibility?
2. One proclaims the Good News not because of a feeling of superiority or personal justice but because of the conviction that Jesus Christ who has invaded one's life also matters to each and every human life.
Reflect. Evangelization is not really a duty imposed from outside but the outward expression of a felt-claim one experiences from within. Do you experience the call to evangelize as an obligation you are forced to undertake? Or do you experience it as the natural consequence of a baptism that you have made your own and of a new life that you wish others would also share in?
3. Jesus wants his disciples to carry out the duty of proclaiming the kingdom and preaching repentance as a part of their normal existence without extra amenities.
Reflect. Can you seriously consider your daily life as an extension of the Church's mission to evangelize?
