Gospel Reading for February 05, 2026 – Mark 6: 7-13
DIVINE AUTHORITY
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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It may appear that Jesus was sending the Twelve out for a kind of “on-the-job training,” but it was far more than that. He had already given them authority over demons—DIVINE AUTHORITY, for no one has authority over demons except God himself. Jesus wanted them to focus fully on their mission of calling people to repentance, without being distracted by concerns for food or money. God would provide for them through the people they would encounter, touch, and heal.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders institutionalizes the authority that Jesus entrusted to the Twelve, an authority they in turn handed on to those who came after them. Through the Church, the teachings and divine authority given by Christ are passed down from generation to generation through ordained ministers—from the Pope, to cardinals and bishops, to diocesan priests and religious.
Lord Jesus, help our priests to hold sacred the authority you entrusted to the Twelve Apostles, and help us to recognize, respect, and pray for those who bear this authority today.
