Fifteenth Sunday of the Year:B: July 11, 2021

 JESUS SENDS APOSTLES ON A MISSION

First Reading: Amos 7: 12-15

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 3-14

Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 6-13

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. The plight of Amos is described in detail. He was sent by the Lord God to King Amaziah. The King was very unhappy with Amos. He was warned not to prophesy in Bethel where the King resided. Later Amos was expelled from the Kingdom. In spite of all these problems Amos was not discouraged but firmly told Amaziah that the Lord God has commanded him to go to the people of Israel and prophesy. Although there were many hardships and opposition Amos was always faithful to the task given to him by the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians. The Christians in Ephesus were brought to faith by Paul. Paul encourages them to be faithful to the teachings he had handed over to them. He instructs them that God's will is the source of our Christian vocation and of our holiness. Paul expresses his thankfulness to God for the great spiritual gifts received through Lord Jesus. 

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two                                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. The instructions given by Jesus to His twelve Apostles before their mission journey is described. They were told to preach and to do the works that He Himself had done so far. Their threefold duties were : 1. To announce that the Kingdom of God has come. 2. To heal the sick. 3. To cast out demons. He instructed them that they were to take nothing for their journey- no money, no extra clothing, not even a staff which was ordinarily carried by travelers to protect themselves from attacks of thieves and wild animals. Disciples of Jesus are to depend entirely on God alone during their mission journeys. What we notice is that Jesus did not hesitate to involve the Apostles in His work in spite of the fact that most of them were illiterate fishermen with little experience in preaching. Jesus is inviting everyone of us to continue His mission in the world around us. In spite of our inexperience and lack of expertise He wants us to do our part, however small that may be. The mission of Christ is very simple. As St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said."We can do no great things. Only little things with great love. You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do something beautiful for God." All of us without exception are invited to continue the mission of Jesus and to hand over our faith to others as the Apostles did.