Take courage and be a man

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd; Mk 6:7-13

Notes

To be an Apostle is to be ‘those sent forth‘. Jesus sends the Twelve out on mission. In the Mark tradition, upon their return, they are known as Apostles. It is easy to read in a relaxed way as if the Apostles are throwing candy from a Mardi Gras float on the streets of New Orleans. The Twelve were sent in pairs and given strict instructions on how to provision their mission and how to behave among the people. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. And, again, Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. And how to handle those who reject them, 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 to preach repentance. Here is the thing. John the Baptist stayed in one place. The Twelve went from place to place. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Summary

From the The Mission of the Twelve to The Return of the Twelve, what was going on?

1. Herod’s Opinion of Jesus. But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.
2. The Death of John the Baptist. The story of how Herod had John beheaded.

As to the timing specifically, it is not critical to the point. Here is the point. Mark is stating clearly that the dangers to the Twelve were serious. While on mission, their friend John was in prison and ultimately beheaded.

Take courage and be a man – David said to Solomon in our first reading.

Reflection

Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do. It takes courage to do the right thing. If you don’t sense the need for courage (trust in the Lord), you most likely are not doing anything that matters. This is not the war of men as like yesterday’s reflection. This is the war within us to step up, step out and do the will of the Lord.

Personal Reflection

Spiritual courage is often comingled with physical courage. We are both body and spirit so that makes sense. But Jesus sends us in Power and Spirit. Jesus sends us with the exact tools and nothing extra.

But, then again, in the spirit of the Apostles, let us too drive out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them according to our competency and charism.

First Reading

When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do.

Responsorial

Lord, you are exalted over all.

Gospel Acclamation

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

Gospel

The Mission of the Twelve.

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.

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.

The Return of the Twelve.

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught (Mk 6:3).

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry