Jesus sent the apostles out on mission with almost no material goods (Mk 6:8ff). He wanted them to be wholly occupied with the work of proclaiming His kingdom. It would be an unnecessary distraction to be concerned with what they were to eat or wear (Mk 6:8-9; see also Mt 6:31). So Jesus sent forth the apostles without food or extra clothes. If the apostles had brought money, they might have used valuable time spending it. So Jesus sent them on mission without a coin (Mk 6:8). Jesus did tell the apostles to take walking sticks and to wear sandals (Mk 6:8-9). These would enable them to cover more territory faster in proclaiming God's kingdom. Jesus also commanded the apostles not to get bogged down proclaiming the Gospel to those who persisted in rejecting it. Jesus said: "If any place will not receive you or hear you, shake its dust from your feet" (Mk 6:11).
It is clear that Jesus wants us out on the streets, on the highways and byways (see Lk 14:21), in the marketplace, in public proclaiming His kingdom. There is no time to waste. We need a streamlined, uncluttered Christianity that "exists in order to evangelize" (On Evangelization, Pope St. Paul VI, 14). Pope St. John Paul II proclaimed: "I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church's energies to a new evangelization and to the mission" to the nations (Mission of the Redeemer, 3). Go out now for Jesus.
PRAYER: | Father, as I proclaim the Gospel, make me well aware that it has eternal consequences. |
PROMISE: | "O God, we ponder Your kindness within Your temple." –Ps 48:10 |
PRAISE: | St. Paul Miki, crucified in Japan in 1596, preached the Gospel from his cross to those gathered to watch his execution and that of his twenty-five companions. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College