15TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

READINGS: AMOS 7:12-15; PSA 84:9-14; EPH 1:3-14; MARK 6:7-13

THEME: YOU SHOULD NEVER WALK ALONE!

Dearest in Christ, today’s readings present us the desire of God to make us part of the mission of Christ, the mission of facing the demons of our society, the mission of calling people to repentance, the mission of bringing healing and freedom to people. Every day of our lives is an opportunity to go on with this mission of Christ, the mission of which we have been made part.

SENT IN TWOS

The gospel reading today presents us with Jesus’ sending of the Twelve to participate in his mission of preaching the gospel and bringing about freedom. In Mk 1:16-20 and 2:13-17, at the very beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus begins to summon to himself those who were to be the Twelve. Then in Mk 3:13-19, the evangelist gives us the full list of the Twelve, describing them as those whom Jesus wanted that they may be with him, and that they might be sent out to proclaim the message (cf Mk 3:13-14). These twelve are called apostles, a title that mostly based on the second part of Jesus’ intention of choosing them, that is, to be sent out. 

However, before these men would become ‘apostles’ in action, they were first to be with him. From Mk 3:20 till when they were sent out in Mk 6:7, these men were continuously with Jesus and they have witnessed him preach the Goodnews, cast out demons, faced rejections, brought healing and freedom to many people. Now, it is time for them to take part in the mission becoming apostles in action. But in sending them, Christ sent them two by two. 

Dearest in Christ, our life as Christians is a call to come first, and then be sent. But for our journey in life, we need companions. One English football club, Liverpool precisely, has its motto as “You will never walk alone”. God never intends any of us to walk alone in life because none of us is an Island. 

This companion includes our families, our friends, our co-workers, our employees, the people we meet on our way at each point in time. God always prepares that person who will walk with us both when life is sweet and when it is hard. In every aspect of our lives, we need companions; we need people we can confide in; we need people we can share our plans and ideas with; we need people who will be there to raise us when we fall. You should never walk alone in life!

SENT WITH AUTHORITY

When Jesus sends, he sends with authority. Jesus gave his apostles authority (ἐξουσίαν, Mk.6:7) over unclean spirits. The Greek word ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos) which translates into ‘unclean’ in English is also used to speak of everything related to idolatry, and something that is morally unacceptable, of vices (cf 2C 6.17; Eph 5:5; Rev 17:4). Hence, the unclean spirit here connotes also any act or manifestation or lifestyle or treatment that is ungodly. Therefore, the apostles are sent to speak and to fight against the demon of injustice, demon of abuse of others, demon of unjustly treatment of the rich against the poor; the demon of all kinds of maltreatments seen in the society.

SENT TO GO FORTH EVEN WITH THE EXISTENCE OF OPPOSITIONS

Two by two, the apostles went forth in order to carry out the assignment Jesus has given them. This their going forth was not expected to be entirely pleasant and rosy. In fact, by giving them authority over unclean spirits, Jesus disposed them of the existence of contrary spirits who would be waiting to fight them against the message of truth and liberation. 

Then again, Jesus disposed them to be ready that not everybody would welcome them and accept their message (cf Mk 6:11). Just as they saw Jesus being rejected by his own people in Nazareth (cf Mk 6:1-6) so they too must be ready to be rejected.

From the word go, Jesus made the Twelve apostles to be aware of what they were going to encounter on their way to the life he has called them. Yet, the Twelve moved on with the mission because they trusted in him who had sent them out. The evil in the world, the possibility of being challenged, ridiculed, even of experiencing suffering in the hands of those who would be against the message of the gospel, of truth, of freedom, of outspokenness against injustice, should not keep us away from the going on with the mission of Christ.

Yes, the disciples were to be rejected by some people because there were many people who were benefiting from the status quo. Such people would not want others to be liberated from falsehood because they make their living from the suffering of others, from the disorder in society. Such was the case with Amos and Amaziah the priest of Bethel as we have in the first reading. Amos was sent to carry the word of God to the northern part of Israel, but Amaziah, being the priest of Bethel, and not wanting the truth of God to bring about the repentance of the king and the people, wanted to send Amos back to Judah. 

According to Amaziah, “we want no more prophesying in Bethel, this is the royal sanctuary, the national temple”. Of course, Amaziah had to provide a reason that sounds godly but behind this reason was the true unspoken reason: he was afraid the message of Amos would make people to repent and see him as false priest and reject his service thereby ending his means of survival. 

Dearest in Christ, we have to be careful when we join others in fighting proposals, opinions, ideas, and new developments brought up by people. This is because those opposers might be fighting in order to protect their evil gains and if we are not careful, we will be drawn to stand with them against the truth and liberating messages and works brought by others. 

Dearest in Christ, as St. Paul reminds us, God chose us to stand with him, to be the instrument of his love, peace, and Goodnews to others, before even the foundation of the world (Cf Eph 1:4). It is God’s desire to gather all things to himself (cf Eph 1:10), and it is through us, his missionaries, those who have stayed with his Son and have been sanctified and empowered by his Son, that he will bring about this. With the seal of the Holy Spirit on our foreheads and on our hearts, we are to go forth and proclaim the freedom in Christ Jesus without fear of anyone.

Rev. Fr. Henry Chukwuezugo Nnamah
Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Nigeria