Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gospel MK 6:7 13
Summary
TLDRThe 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
📖 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.
👥 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.
🌍 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.
✝️ 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.
💪 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Discipleship
💡Formation
💡Authority
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
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