Instruction of the Preaching of Mission

Weekly Missionary Reflection
15th Ordinary Sunday, 14 July 2024
Prov. 7:12-15; Ps. 85:9ab,10,11-12,13-14; Eph. 1:3-14 (Eph. 1:3-10); Mark 6:7-13

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two.
(Mark 6:7)

In today’s Gospel Jesus gave sufficient instruction in the mission of preaching the Kingdom of God in the world. Jesus called the Twelve and sent them out two by two. Jesus gave them authority over the unclean spirits and instructed them to take nothing but a walking stick, no food, no sack, and no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. Jesus called and sent His disciples out to carry on His mission.

The mission of the disciples we heard today shows that every disciple of Jesus Christ is called and sent out to continue Jesus’ work in the world. The authority over the unclean spirit shows that we are not alone in our mission; the Lord grants us strength and power to fight against evil.

The disciples are sent out two by two to support each other and to be reliable companions in the ministry. The disciples are taught to rely on the power of Jesus Christ, not on themselves or the property and facility. Jesus wants the disciples to learn how to focus on their task and mission: preaching repentance, casting out demons, and curing the sick. Focus on the task also means to stay calm whenever they are not welcomed, and leave and shake the dust off their feet in testimony against them. Being rejected is not comforting. It can fade our spirit and joy, leading to the feeling of giving up. However, the rejection can insist us to rely on God and His power more. The rejection might occur because we are not wise in proclaiming the good news, too much relying on our thought and property, instead of God’s wisdom and power.

As believers, we are called to be the witnesses of God in our daily lives. We are invited to rely on God’s power, live with full trust to Him, work together with the community of the same faith, and stay faithful in facing acceptances and rejections. We pray that we are able to stay motivated and full of joy in our daily lives. 

Our mission today: fully trust God through endless daily prayer and establish good relation with the companions in our ministry. 

(Ignasius Lede – Commission for Mission of The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy and sorrow in the unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus and the Church, in particular I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of Indonesian Church of this month:

Universal Church Intent: For the pastoral care of the sick
We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

Indonesian Church Intent: For alternative education
We pray that the society will increasingly understand the uniqueness of each child so that they can be opened to any forms of alternative education that is most suitable to contribute the grow and development of children.

Amen.