Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gospel MK 6:7 13

Summary

The transcript discusses Mark chapter 6, focusing on the apostles' training and mission. The first phase was being with Jesus to know Him deeply, and the second phase is being sent out to continue His works, including preaching, casting out demons, and healing. Emphasizing the importance of authority given by Jesus, it highlights that believers share in His divine authority through faith and prayer. The key message is recognizing one's identity and authority in Christ to effectively advance the Kingdom of God and lead a life of faith, perseverance, and mission.

Takeaways

• 📖 The script discusses the second phase of the Apostles' training, which is being sent out by Jesus to do the same works He has been doing, highlighting the importance of being with the Lord as the first task for any disciple.
• 🔑 Jesus gives the Apostles authority over unclean spirits, signifying the divine authority granted to them to perform their ministry, which is a key aspect of their mission.
• 🙏 The importance of spending time in prayer and being in the presence of the Lord is emphasized as a way to get to know Him and to unite one's heart with His.
• 🤝 The Apostles are sent out two by two, illustrating the value of partnership and mutual support in ministry and life.
• 👣 The instruction to the Apostles to take only a walking stick symbolizes their reliance on God's provision and their commitment to the mission without personal gain.
• 💼 The Apostles are told not to carry extra belongings, reflecting the trust in divine providence and the simplicity of their mission.
• 🗣️ The core message the Apostles are to preach is repentance, which is linked to faith and the path to eternal life.
• 🌍 The Apostles' mission is to sow the seeds of the gospel, with the understanding that God will bring the growth, emphasizing the role of faith and perseverance.
• 🕊️ The script touches on the concept of authority, suggesting that as baptized individuals, we share in Christ's divine authority to advance the kingdom of God.
• 🚫 The act of shaking the dust off their feet by the Apostles serves as a testimony against those who reject their message, signifying the gravity of rejecting the invitation to eternal life.
• 🔄 The need for repentance is reiterated as essential for experiencing God's mercy and love, and as a precursor to understanding and expressing love for God.

Q & A

What is the first phase of the Apostles' training according to the Gospel of Mark?

The first phase of the Apostles' training is to be with the Lord, which is about getting to know Him and having His heart become theirs, as mentioned in Mark chapter 3 verse 14.

Why is it important for disciples to be with the Lord?

Being with the Lord allows disciples to know Him, take on His heart, and become united with Him. This unity is crucial for understanding His will and carrying out their mission.

What is the significance of unity with the Lord in discipleship?

Unity with the Lord is essential for disciples to understand His will and effectively carry out their mission.

Outlines

00:00

📖 The Apostles' Initial Training and the Importance of Being with the Lord

In Mark chapter 6, Jesus sends out the Apostles, marking the second phase of their training. The first phase, detailed in Mark 3:14, involved being with Jesus, emphasizing the importance of forming a close relationship with Him. This foundational task is crucial for all disciples, as it fosters a deep understanding of Jesus' heart and will. Regardless of one's theological education, true knowledge of the Lord comes from spending time in His presence, particularly in prayer and meditation. This intimate relationship prepares disciples for their mission to spread His teachings and embody His virtues.

05:04

👥 The Apostles' Mission and Their Empowerment over Unclean Spirits

As the Apostles embark on their mission, they reflect on Jesus’ actions, including His calm responses to opposition and His miraculous deeds. Jesus equips them not just with instructions but with divine authority over unclean spirits, underscoring the seriousness of their mission. This authority is a significant responsibility and symbolizes their readiness to perform works similar to those of Jesus. The concept of authority is crucial, as Jesus' power over spirits proves His divine authority, which He now shares with His Apostles, preparing them to confront and overcome spiritual and physical adversities.

10:05

🌍 The Broader Implications of Authority and Healing

The distinction between demons (pagan) and unclean spirits (Jewish or Arab) is explored, highlighting the different cultural understandings. Jesus' authority over these spirits extends to healing, blurring the lines between exorcism and curing diseases. Examples like the healing of Peter's mother-in-law illustrate how Jesus rebukes both spirits and sicknesses similarly. The authority over unclean spirits also implies a power over conditions they cause, stressing that recognizing and exercising this divine authority is crucial for leading a fulfilled and holy life. Jesus’ sending of the Apostles in pairs reflects the importance of mutual support and accountability in their mission.

15:07

✝️ The Call to Repentance and the Significance of Apostolic Poverty

Jesus instructs the Apostles to travel light, emphasizing reliance on divine providence. This lifestyle symbolizes their dedication and authentic commitment to spreading the Gospel, free from material distractions. Their preaching focuses on repentance, a critical step towards eternal life. Jesus' directive to shake off the dust from unwelcoming towns signifies a warning of judgment, stressing the importance of accepting the message of repentance. The Apostles' mission is to faithfully sow the seeds of the Gospel, leaving the results to God, and to remain steadfast despite challenges and lack of immediate visible success.

20:07

💪 Embracing Our Divine Authority and Mission

Jesus grants His followers divine authority, akin to His own, for advancing God's kingdom and confronting evil. Recognizing this authority and using it effectively is essential for personal spiritual growth and for spreading God's peace. Daily prayer and renouncing personal weaknesses are key to tapping into this power. The Apostles' call to carry only a staff and minimal provisions highlights their trust in God's provision and their focus on their mission. The emphasis on poverty and faith demonstrates their genuine commitment to the Gospel. Believers today are reminded of their powerful identity and the need for perseverance in their spiritual journey.

Keywords

💡Discipleship

Discipleship refers to the process of learning from and following a spiritual leader or teacher, in this case, Jesus. It is central to the video's theme, as it discusses the formation of the Apostles by Jesus and the subsequent call to discipleship for viewers. The script mentions the Apostles' initial training with Jesus as a model for all disciples, emphasizing the importance of 'being with the Lord' to understand and carry His teachings.

💡Formation

Formation in the script denotes the spiritual development and training of the Apostles and, by extension, all believers. It is integral to understanding the video's message, which highlights the importance of personal growth in faith. The first phase of the Apostles' formation involved being with Jesus to know and emulate His heart, as stated in Mark chapter 3 verse 14, setting a precedent for all disciples to follow.

💡Authority

Authority in this context is the divine power and permission granted by Jesus to the Apostles to perform miracles, cast out demons, and preach the gospel.

Highlights

The Apostles' training began with simply being with the Lord, emphasizing the importance of forming a personal relationship with Jesus.

Jesus' method of training the Apostles includes spending time with Him to understand His heart and will.

Knowing Jesus comes from spending time in prayer and the Eucharist, not merely from academic study.

The second phase of the Apostles' training is being sent out to do the same works that Jesus did, including responding to opposition, teaching, performing miracles, and exorcisms.

Jesus equips those He calls, providing the necessary authority and power for their mission.

The authority given to the Apostles is specifically over unclean spirits, highlighting their role in exorcism.

The distinction between demons and unclean spirits is cultural, with Greeks using 'demons' and Jews and Arabs using 'unclean spirits.'

Jesus' authority over spirits is evidenced by His success in casting them out, proving His divine authority.

The connection between unclean spirits and sickness is made, showing Jesus' authority extends to healing diseases caused by these spirits.

Jesus sends the Apostles out in pairs for mutual support, prayer, and correction, similar to the dynamic in marriage.

The Apostles are instructed to rely on God's providence, taking only a walking stick, symbolizing authority.

Poverty and reliance on God demonstrate the Apostles' conviction and sincerity in preaching the gospel.

Repentance is a key message preached by the Apostles, essential for experiencing God's mercy and love.

Rejection of the Apostles' message is equated to rejecting Jesus and the invitation to eternal life.

Success in evangelization is ultimately in God's hands, and perseverance in faith is crucial for all believers.

Transcripts

we are in mark chapter 6 the gospel mark

chapter 6 and the Apostles have been in

training or Jesus has been forming them

and this is actually the second phase

being sent out is the second phase of

their training the first phase of their

training was to be with the Lord which

was about three chapters ago in mark

chapter 3 verse 14 and that was the

first task of the apostles he calls them

and their first task was to simply be

with him be with the Lord this of course

the first task of any disciple in

formation we are all disciples in

formation and so this is what our first

call is is to be with the Lord how do we

be with the Lord or why do we want to be

with the Lord so that we get to know him

we know must know the Lord whom we serve

so that we can take on the Masters heart

himself so that his heart becomes ours

so that we become United with him

and his heart so our hearts are one we

do that by simply being in front of the

Lord it doesn't matter how many

theological degrees or how much how many

years of Catholic schools you've had

Catholic school you've had or Catholic

college etc etc I don't know the Lord

because of the degrees that I have

that's only learning about the Lord

alright I know the Lord because I have

spent hours and hours in front of him in

the Eucharist okay and I spend every

morning in meditative prayer with the

Lord okay this is how we become more

acquainted with the Lord and his heart

and his will so we want to unite our

hearts and our minds and our wills with

the Lord so that's the first task of the

twelve he calls a twelve and three

chapters ago and ever since and we don't

know how long that's been before he

sends them out today but their first

task was to be with him and that's very

important for us to realize that our

first task is to be with the Lord to

come to know him

so the second task is to be sent out to

do what to do the same works that Jesus

has been doing now of course what did

they what have

they've been witnessing Jesus do well

they've witnessed our Lord

calmly respond to opposition teach in

parables work miracles and exorcisms and

of course now they're called to do the

same thing so they must have trembled at

their new job responsibilities right

whenever you start a new job or anything

everything is a daunting task so now the

apostles are getting the Aeneid the real

clear message that I am sending you out

now to do the same things that I have

been doing that you have been witnessing

so it's a daunting list of

responsibilities are they going to be

ready of course is is the question but

he they are gonna be ready because Jesus

God God does not call the equipt he

equips the called alright he gives us

what we need to do what he wants us to

do and so then when he calls these

apostles and he is with them he tells

them to be with him for a while and

before he sends them out and after

instructing them he gives them authority

over unclean spirits as it says now this

is very important we just can't say oh

well yeah he gave them authority over

unclean spirits there's that's a big

deal when someone gives you authority I

don't act as a priest of my own

authority I don't function in the

archdiocese without having Authority

given to me but ultimately even the

authority that has been given to me it

has been given from Jesus Jesus is the

ultimate source of authority through the

apostolic succession that comes down to

us today through the priest to the

church it's his authority that he gives

us an oh by the way the baptized also

have a certain authority of Jesus it is

his divine authority that he is giving

to the Apostles so that they will be

successful at their ministry and and

they will be able to be to perform the

same works note that that's this is the

only thing that's said here alright so

then he gives them authority over

unclean spirits he doesn't give him a

Thor

to teach he doesn't give them authority

to preach he doesn't give them authority

to heal direct or not directly anyway

we'll get to that but he gives them

authority over unclean spirits it like

summarizes their whole ministry before

we get too deep into this I want to note

something here that the Greeks they

called hostile spirits demons and Jews

and Arabs they called them unclean

spirits so as you're reading the text

you'll know where Jesus is if G if the

if the if the expelled demon is called a

demon then he's in pagan territory and a

feast if it's called an unclean spirit

then he's in Jewish or Arab territory so

that's interesting to note there but

along the same lines the reason I can

bring that up is because we don't see

the word exorcism used in the text of

the Gospels either but what we do see is

the word power or authority wherever

Jesus is casting out or driving away an

unclean spirit or a demon it is

according to his authority or his power

all right so that is how he is evidence

that's evidence right that's how it's

evidence or it's proof that Jesus has

authority over spirits because he

continues to drive them out and that's

something else that the Gospel writers

frequently note is that the success of

Jesus expelling demons proves that he

has authority when you look at all the

forty-five thousand different

nominations of Christianity in the world

today it is always always comes back to

the question of authority who has the

authority of Jesus all right so that's

why the authority of Jesus is so

important we're not going to get into

who has it that's it for another day all

right but nonetheless well regarding

healing so one note on healing the

authority over unclean spirits also

seems to extend to the conditions caused

by unclean spirits namely sickness when

you look at the healing of Peters

mother-in-law I'm going to talk about

Mark chapter 130 which is in the same

gospel and then Luke 4 38 and 39 that's

the parallel text of the healing of

Peters mother-in-law and there's

something going on there so

in mark 1 30 Peters mother-in-law is

sick with a fever all right and then in

Luke chapter 4 verses 30 and 39 it

indicates that the high fever gripping

her is actually a demon named capital F

fever alright so then the the

distinction between possession by an

evil spirit and sickness is a little

fuzzy in the ancient world but the

interesting thing about it is that the

word for drive away or driving away the

fever or driving away a demon is or even

unclean spirit it's the same word that's

their rebuke he rebukes or he drives

away or he casts away then say he heals

right he casts away the fever he drives

away the fever so he rebuked the fever

all right so it's very interesting how

that's the same verb they're taking the

same action to achieve the same result

whether it's a demon or unclean spirit

or it's a sickness so that's that's very

important to realize so what I'm saying

or what the text seems imply is that the

authority over unclean spirits is also

the authority over sickness over disease

it's you know I'm getting to the point

by the end of this homily is that you

need to realize who you are and what

power you have if you don't know who you

are and what power you have then you're

not gonna live a very good quality of

life all right we're not gonna recognize

who we are as children of God and what

power we have to exercise what authority

we have to exercise so that the quality

of our lives are better our more holy

our more full our more fully realized

so what Jesus does is he sends them out

two by two so why is this two by two

important and of course you see this

very clearly in married couples a pair

of disciples or partners in the marriage

of course can mutually support one

another they can pray together they can

encourage one another they can correct

each other's mistakes and discern how to

deal with problems together and of

course it would be nice to have an

associate pastor to share ministry with

right so this is also one of the things

that we can

you to struggle with is there are many

lone Ranger's that's how we fall into

scandal so easily is because we're too

often alone so we have to get out more

alright so don't anybody come to me

later and say oh you need to get out

more okay okay but the 12s ministry ok

consists of preaching repentance casting

out demons anointing with oil the sick

and curing them and this text in this

particular context there's this strong

emphasis on the task of expelling

unclean spirits like I said at the

beginning he gave them authority over

unclean spirits it seems to summarize

their whole ministry again he did not

give them authority to I mean later he

gives them authority forgives sins and

and he tells him to go baptize and teach

but right now in this text he's not good

him all that authority he's a man or

authority for a specific thing over

unclean spirits it seems to suggest that

it sums up their whole ministry it's the

only task mentioned here when he calls

them and sends them he calls them he

instructs them he sends them gives them

authority over unclean spirits so the

twelve are granted the share in Jesus's

divine authority why is that important

this is the very Authority of God we

have the authority of God himself it's

like we are God dare I say that yes we

are sinners but we but God is so good

that he gives us his own divine

authority for the specific purpose of

spreading the kingdom of God and and and

and advancing his own conquest over the

realm of evil alright this is what God

wants is for all to be saved and for the

devil to finally be put down once and

for all in each person's life every

single son and daughter of his is to use

the authority that they have by their

baptismal right that they've been given

to advance their kingdom of God to make

the kingdom of God spread around them

but more so and more than ever to

advance or soar allow the king of God to

grow within themselves

to allow the peace of the king of God to

flourish within ourselves and this is so

important for us to realize who we are

and how that authority is supposed to be

used but first we got if we're praying

the way we're supposed to be praying

that's why daily prayer is necessary

it's like oxygen you wouldn't stop

breathing for five minutes if you know

you could it's involuntary right okay

you can't stop praying either daily you

know every day we have to reject and

renounce those areas of our weaknesses

those areas of disease okay we have to

reject and renounce this we have to use

the authority God gives us all right and

so we don't just we just don't use it

enough all right these twelve again um

he tells them now he tells them what

they can take they don't can't take

anything except a walking stick all

right a staff or a walking stick which

of course is a biblical symbol of

authority all right the stick or the

walking staff is a biblical symbol of

authority it's the only thing he tells

them that he can take with that they can

take with them and of course he tells

them but they were to wear sandals but

don't take an extra pair of underwear

you're not gonna need it okay that's a

tunic all right you don't need a second

tunic you don't need extra clothing you

don't to worry about that why because

all right cuz God is saying God will

provide for your needs all right God

provides if if the if the Apostles are

going to occupy themselves with the

mission of Jesus then God will occupy

himself with providing for their needs

that happens when they are able to trust

in God's divine providence and care for

them we've been building up to this if

you look at the last two weekends last

two Sunday Gospels it's about faith and

trust to God and God leading to

miraculous works the miracles of God

come into our lives when we are able to

have great faith and trust in him

alright and this is not something that

that is get come so easily for us in our

comfortable Western culture all right we

don't know how to trust in God for our

needs because we don't need that much

from God

practically speaking we have a lot of

things we have a lot of comforts we

don't call upon God for food we don't

call upon God for a clean source of

water we don't call upon God for where

am I gonna stay over a room and shelter

and board this is what this is what the

Apostles are embarking upon a missionary

journey all right go to whatever house

it's you whatever house you going to

stay there and eat what's put before you

and don't go somewhere else don't seek

somewhere else no don't look for some

other house to dwell in all right God is

going to provide for every could provide

everything for all our needs you can

provide all our needs and so that's a

simple point and this poverty

demonstrates also their conviction to

the gospel that they preach the gospel

not out of personal gain which was

common at the time there were itinerant

preachers who would move from house to

house in the same village because it was

more comfortable to stay there here with

the gospel because these are actual

preachers of the gospel their conviction

for the gospel is proven because of

their poverty they're not in it for

personal gain okay they're in it because

it is the mission that Jesus has

entrusted to them and so then they

preach the gospel out of conviction and

what do they preach they went often

preached repentance they went off and

preached repentance there is a clear

connection between repentance and faith

leading to eternal life

all right this the the shaking shaking

of the dust off your feet as testimony

against those who did not heed the 12

message is a testimony that will stand

against unreceptive villages on Judgment

Day that does stay shake off their feet

will stand against them as a testimony

on Judgment Day what is what is actually

happening there because they did not

receive the message of the twelve what

was the message of the twelve what do

they preach repentance okay it's not a

punishment that God is dealing out it is

a logical conclusion that if I don't

repent of my sins

if I don't acknowledge my sins if I

don't repent from them then there's no

way I'm gonna have a shot at eternal

life because those who die in their sin

well we entrust them to the mercy of God

we don't condemn anyone but there's a

high risk of losing eternal life

repentance is so important all right

this is what the world has to understand

it's okay that we sin because we have a

God who is merciful don't take that out

of context all right the point is is

that people don't want to acknowledge

their sin because they're afraid to say

that they have done something wrong or

something that offends God or neighbor

okay we want to be able to confess our

sin so that we will be able to

experience his mercy and his love

surround us right that's so important

for us we can't experience Luke chapter

7 all right the woman who understands

what what love is because of the of the

mercy of God because she is conscious of

her sin and she repents from her sin

those who are repentant of their sin

they experience and they come to know

the love of God all right it's not that

because we love God we are repentant

it's actually the other way around we

learn how to love God because we

experience his mercy after we

acknowledge our sin and repent so

there's a clear connection here so Jesus

is saying that those who do not accept

your message it's like they don't accept

me a rejection of the Apostles message

is like a rejection of Jesus and eternal

life this is the invitation to eternal

life and it begins with repentance and

faith in Jesus Christ

so the Apostles job is to carry out

their mission obediently and success is

always in the hands of God and as we are

the current evangelizers and disciples

of God his people who continue to spread

this gospel that's our job to sow the

seeds of the gospel everywhere as much

as we can wherever whenever that's our

job well we don't we don't have to

guarantee success

that people are going to receive the

message that's not our job we spread the

seeds of the gospel we sow the seeds of

the gospel other people will water but

God will cause the growth as it says in

st. st. Paul says elsewhere all right

and so then the instruction of shaking

the dust off their feet also serves as a

reminder to the apostles and us to not

become discouraged when we don't see

results from our evangelization okay

we've been at this church thing for a

couple millennium right now okay we even

had this many years the whole world is

still not yet converted and we have

challenges of our own still within our

church that we have to work through all

right so we have to continue to remain

perseverance and faith and maybe we have

to come back to Lord and spend more time

with him to be with him to re-energize

ourselves for that all right the whole

point here is that there's an invitation

to eternal life and that we have this

authority over everything we have God's

own authority all right we are already

powerful over the devil over disease if

we are able to access that powerful

faith that faith of the woman who

suffered from hemorrhages for 12 years

if I just touch the cloak or touch the

tassel on his cloak I will be healed

where is that faith today how come we

don't have that same kind of faith today

I don't know I don't know the answer

that is all right

but I know that that faith is possible

and I know that God too has given us the

same authority over unclean spirits that

he has given the Apostles he's called us

to share in his mission and it's so

important for us to realize that to

realize who we are and the power that we

have all right and this ultimately boils

down to repentance leading to eternal

life it's an invitation to eternal life

that God wants to hand all of us and he

offers it to us but no one's gonna be

forced to accept God's invitation to

eternal life no

he's gonna be forced to accept healing

all right

the mighty acts of God from last weekend

the mighty acts and the miracles of God

Healing comes into our lives because of

the faith that we have in him I trust in

God I put my faith in him all right if

I'm able to do that that's what makes

the miracles of God the grace of God

present the people leading our church

today and the bride itself are not

perfect but we are all being perfected

in grace we're in the midst of it it's a

process we have no idea where we are

along the line we don't know where the

beginning is we don't know where the end

is we're somewhere in the middle we

don't know towards the end towards the

towards the beginning but we're all

being perfected by grace it's so

important for us to realize who we are

and that perseverance is so important

the spiritual masters have always taught

us when all else fails persevere

persevere okay and this is so so when we

when we look at the world today we look

at our lives we look at the authority

that we have we look at our identity the

meaning of who we are it's important we

realize that we are the children of God

with the same kind of authority over

everything and if we use it we will be

not only successful but of course we

will also be faithful