Mark 6,7-13.
The twelve who were called to be with Jesus (3,14), having heard his preaching and seen his miracles, now enter a new stage in their apprenticeship as they are sent out with power to cast out evil spirits, to heal, and preach repentance They go out in twos to be a support for each other and to witness together. Jesus’ first miracle in Mark’s gospel (1,21-28 – the 4th Sunday of the Year) was the expulsion of an unclean spirit. Now, unsurprisingly, authority over unclean spirits tops the agenda for the twelve as well. They are to travel light – no bread, money, haversack or extra tunic – indicating the urgency of the mission over concerns about material comforts, and trust that God will provide for them. They were to depend on the hospitality of the locals and to stop where they found it. Wherever they were not made welcome and were refused a hearing they were to walk away and shake the dust off their feet as a symbolic gesture indicating that the unwelcoming inhabitants are lacking in faith and not part of the true Israel, and a sign of separation from them. The gesture would make the people think, and hopefully lead them to repentance. Sandals would be a must for safe travel on the stony roads of Palestine. Shoes would have been a luxury.
They were to preach repentance, not the kingdom, the preaching of which is reserved exclusively to Jesus at this stage but will become the task of the twelve after Pentecost. Like John the Baptist’s preaching, their preaching of repentance will prepare the way for Jesus. Repentance is a radical change of direction in one’s life, a change of values, outlook, priorities, and lifestyle. It involves trying to think like God does and not like humans do. It means having values and ideals which are different from those of the world. For all of us repentance is an ongoing and lifelong process and rarely achieved in a single action or decision.
They also cast out many devils and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them. Oil had many medicinal uses but here it is a vehicle of miraculous power.
This was a special moment for the disciples. It was a vote of confidence in them by Jesus, an opportunity for them to help him, but also to try out their evangelical skills. He would have, also, instilled into them a quiet confidence that all would go well.
For Mark the sending out of the twelve was the foundational event on which all subsequent Christian missionary activity was based.
The Second Vatican Council in the Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, (Par 2), emphasises that “the Church of its very nature is missionary,”. How can we ourselves and our communities become more missionary in our outlook and activities?
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a channel of God’s healing today, as are also healing services associated with charismatic and other prayer groups.
Fr Geoff O’Grady