15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B – July 11, 2021 Amos 7: 12-15 / Psalm 85 / Ephesians 1: 3-14 / Mark 6: 7-13
In the view of many of his contemporaries Saint Dominic took a lot of risks. His decision to send out novices in teams of two to preach the gospel before undertaking theological studies was viewed as careless by church leaders of his day. However, Dominic felt that the conditions warranted action first, and then study. The Church now looks back and sees the virtue and wisdom of his risk-taking. Dominic set out to do awesome tasks but lacked the worldly power and resources that conventional wisdom taught as necessary for major undertakings. In retrospect, he followed the example of Jesus as described in today’s gospel reading from the 6th chapter of Mark.
Still, what makes for a successful mission or endeavor? I can think of three aspects right away: preparation, provisions and purpose. Jesus sends out the new twelve apostles with lots of purpose, but little in the way of formal preparation and provisions.
However, Jesus is not being imprudent in doing so. He recognized another aspect that is a part of taking on a new mission: the opportunity for discovery. When one focuses too much on preparation and provisions, they can actually end up being hemmed in or burdened by too many concerns. These aspects can become burdensome or such a major task of maintenance that we risk failing to recognize the importance of purpose. In addition we might overlook new opportunities.
Focusing on mission and going forth unencumbered by too many material possessions and rigid plans and free of worldly power can become romanticized and unrealistic. However, the reality of our contemporary situation is moving in a direction that defies the “maintenance” approach. In dealing with increasing numbers of people in our society who are unaffiliated with any religious tradition or lack a spiritual and moral foundation in their lives, the church has to respond simply and sincerely.
The needs are out there, but are we as the church best suited to address them following the same methods as before? Through Christ, with him and in him, we must make his concerns for humanity into a plan for serving the world’s true needs. I have heard from many people in ministry that, “Jesus did not give the church a mission, but he gave the mission a church.” The way of Jesus in this moment of sending out the twelve new apostles provides a good demonstration of such an insight.
The increasing complexity of our society and economy, especially in the area of technological change, can be overwhelming. Complications occur frequently in my observation, because such change far outpaces human willingness to love and listen to other voices in our society.
The answer is not to take a simple approach just for the sake of simplicity, but to renew our commitment to our Christ-given purpose. The purpose of Jesus was and is always to share with us his Heavenly Father’s mercy. The apostles were simple but fruitful means of carrying out that holy mission.
Perhaps today’s reading is a reminder not to lean too much on ourselves, our ideas and plans, or place our reliance on worldly power and resources, but trust him who calls us to go forth and do what he does - preach mercy and hope in word and deed. The necessary resource is faith. The more of it we carry with us, the lighter the burden