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Gospel Reading for February 1, 2024 – Mark 6: 7-13
WITNESSING
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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Perhaps, if they were to go out for business, you’d think they should not go two by two but one by one, so they could reach more people and be able to sell more. But for Christ’s mission, support for, and collaboration with, one another is very important to get better results. We cannot just introduce Christianity to a big number of people, because repentance and conversion are very personal. We take note that not all who followed Jesus remained faithful and loyal to him. This is why WITNESSING of those sent on a mission is MOST EFFECTIVE. It is also important to be simple. When we are sent on a mission, we mingle with those we are sent to. We travel light because the mission is not about ourselves but about them.
Lord, we pray for missionaries all over the world. Bless them with happiness and peace!
