Our Journey In Christ

15th Ordinary Sunday

Today’s Gospel (Mark 6:7-13) tells about Jesus sending off his disciples on their mission, instructing them to take nothing except a walking stick.

I believe this is similar to what God asks of us in our lives – to fulfil the various purposes for which we are made. It could be giving our very best in what we need to do daily; it could be philanthropic work; or it could even be sharing the Word of God with others. It is in this way that we are “sent off” to fulfil our respective God-guided “missions”.

It is also interesting that Jesus sends off his disciples and commands that they “take nothing for their way” (Mark 6:8): no food, no water, no money – in essence, what they would normally need to survive. But what’s more interesting is that his disciples did not question his motives, did not doubt him; they simply followed what he said. Perhaps the disciples know that they do take more than a walking stick – they take God’s teaching with them, and that is all they need.

There is a lesson here, too, for us who live in a world obsessed with possessions, prestige and position.

Being wealthy, having sumptuous meals, buying the latest “trendy” items, being popular – all these we hold on to tightly. But God tells us today to let go of all these worldly distractions, and carry nothing else but Him. Of course we all need food, warmth, shelter; of course it is nice to have material things – but the key is to recognise that God is central to our lives, and to act accordingly in relation to those we encounter on life’s journeys.

But maybe we find this too big a responsibility – to go forth as God’s missionary. After all, who are we to assume we could fulfil such a huge task? Perhaps we can draw strength and inspiration from the prophet Amos, who in today’s First Reading tells us that all is possible with God: “I am not a prophet…but I am a herdsman plucking wild figs. And the Lord took me…and the Lord said to me: Go, prophesy to my people, Israel”. None of us are born prophets, but if we trust and honour God, He can shape us to be worthy disciples who carry on His mission.