Homily for 14 July 2024 by Fr. Gerard Jonas

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Formation for the First Missionaries

Am 7:12-15; Ps 85; Eph 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13

In the Gospel Reading today, Christ sends the first missionaries. In forming His chosen Twelve Apostles, they were sent in pairs in His name, with His authority. Outwardly, it may seem that the Lord was only multiplying himself to cover more places, to reach more people. It may seem that the Apostles were given instructions to travel light only for practical reasons.

I suppose that the Lord was actually giving both the Apostles and the people whom they would visit a hands-on lesson on the Kingdom. This first missionary activity was also a criticism of the pervading religious and cultural norms. The Lord was introducing Kingdom values of hospitality, inclusivity, and communion.

The Apostles need not worry about lodging but only trust that they would be accommodated as missionaries. Both hosts and guests need not worry about food restrictions as the Apostles were instructed to partake of whatever is served them, not imposing their own or particular religious dietary norms. The Apostles were sent to cure and heal, and to drive out demons so those afflicted may be welcomed back into the community.

The whole missionary journey was a lesson on active faith. Faith that is beyond intellectual assent to Truth and leads to active hope and love, as also expressed in interactive mutual responsibility. The host community was to take care of the needs of the Apostles and in turn, the Apostles were to take care of the needs of the people. Yes, in a way, Christ multiplied himself who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life by employing extensions of His heart, hands, and feet. It was a hands-on formation by showing how to live by the Good News of God’s Kingdom- that it is possible to live by what one preaches. Holiness is in wholeness, individually and communally. Purity is in union with God.

Aside from sparse personal provisions, notice how Jesus mentions a specific detail about footwear. “They were, however, to wear sandals…” In those times, ordinary travel happens on foot. To protect the feet is a practical reminder to keep the mission unimpeded. Logistically, the task is to keep the mission going by avoiding foot injuries. Poverty does not mean doing away with necessities but being unencumbered with superfluities.

Let us pray, that we too may take up the challenge of the Kingdom: that we too may be ministers of the Good News, that we may trust God who takes care of us through those around us and vice-versa, that we may live in mutual responsibility, that we may always live in communion with God and with each other, and that we may not neglect self-care to keep the mission going, physically and spiritually. Let us be ministers of the Kingdom to each other, ministers of encounters of heart and hands with God and one another