July 12, 2015

15th Sunday - B


Commentary
Mark 6: 7-13

It is Jesus’ Mission

There are three significant verbs in the way Jesus commissions the Twelve: summon, send, and give authority.

All these three verbs point to the truth that the initiative is from Jesus.

It is Jesus who has first called these Twelve to follow him.  And it is a part of God’s plan for salvation for humanity that these people were called.  Earlier, the author of this Gospel wrote, "Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.  He appointed twelve , whom he also named apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach” (3: 13-14).

They have been with him and learned from him as he taught.  They have experienced his power.  They have witnessed the way he forgave sinners and cared for the people who are in need.  They have learned of his zeal for his mission.  And they have seen him in prayer.

Now, he sends them with his authority.

With the same pattern Jesus is sharing with us his mission of proclaiming the Good News of God’s salvation.

He calls us.  He prepares us, and he sends us, with his authority.

It is always a privilege and a grace to be called and to be sent by Jesus.  

This should give us both humility and courage.  

It is always Jesus’s mission, not ours.


No comments: