Equipped for Ministry

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. Mark 6:7-13

Reflection: If you were to be sent on a mission by the state or by a corporate entity then that state or corporate entity will provide for your every need, and if not, then it will definitely equip you with the means required to accomplish that mission.

No mission can be accomplished successfully, unless one is equipped.

In our modern days the church too sends its personnel’s on a mission, equipped in a school of formation, with theology and philosophy, sociology and psychology and some even with a little management principles.

To those who were with him, what did Jesus equip them with?  

This is what the passage of scripture reveals to us about Jesus’ action: “And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” (vs. 7)

And to make matters, concerning their mission, more clear to them, he sent them out to depend totally on God; in the providence of God.

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. (vs. 8-9)

Sometimes from the outcome or the reactions we know the original or source; from the fruit we know the tree: 

If Jesus equipped them with authority over the unclean spirits then he is also communicating to us the most important aspect of our mission as Christians, viz. to destroy the works of the devil. (cfr. 1Jn. 3:8)

In other words it also brings to light a great truth: every human being need to be freed from the clutches and influences of the evil one and thanks be to God in Christ Jesus, he makes this possible for us.

No wonder St. Paul reminds us: “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12

Prayer:  Lord, equip me as I seek to be your instrument and give me the spirit of boldness and discernment against the forces of evil.

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