This week’s Gospel and the one for next week describe how Jesus sent the disciples to minister in his name and the disciples’ return to Jesus afterward. These two passages, however, are not presented together in Mark’s Gospel. Inserted between the two is the report of Herod’s fears that Jesus is John the Baptist back from the dead. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ ministry is presented in connection with the teaching of John the Baptist. Jesus’ public ministry begins after John is arrested. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, who preached the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
While we do not read these details about John the Baptist in our Gospel this week or next week, our Lectionary sequence stays consistent with Mark’s theme. Recall that last week we heard how Jesus was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth. The insertion of the reminder about John the Baptist’s ministry and his death at the hands of Herod in Mark’s Gospel makes a similar point. Mark reminds his readers about this dangerous context for Jesus’ ministry and that of his disciples. Preaching repentance and the Kingdom of God is dangerous business for Jesus and for his disciples. Mark wants his readers to remember that we, too, may find resistance as we choose to be disciples of Jesus.
Mark’s Gospel tells us that Jesus sent out the Twelve. These twelve were selected from among Jesus’ disciples and named by Mark in chapter 3. Mark notes that these twelve are also called “apostles.” The word apostle means “one who is sent.” The number twelve is also a symbolic number, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. By naming twelve apostles, Jesus shows his mission to be in continuity with the mission of God’s people, Israel.
Jesus’ instructions to the apostles are very specific. He repeats the mission that they are sent to preach and to share his authority to heal and to drive out demons. Jesus sends them in pairs, establishing his mission as a communal endeavor. Jesus also instructs them to travel lightly, without the customary food, money, and extra set of clothes. These instructions mean that the Twelve will be dependent on the hospitality of others, just as Jesus depended on others to provide for his needs.
Jesus continues to send us into the world as his disciples. But like the first disciples, we are not sent alone. Jesus has given us the community of the Church, which strengthens our life of discipleship. The Christian message can only authentically be proclaimed in and through the community of faith that is the Church. In our work with others, we build this community of faith and can invite others to share in it.
Family Connection
Families who work together to accomplish routine household tasks know that the benefits are more than efficiency. In sharing daily tasks, we accomplish more, but we also build relationships that last—and it’s a lot more fun! Jesus sent his disciples in pairs to minister in his name. Perhaps the job was accomplished more effectively this way, but more importantly, Jesus’ mission was accomplished more authentically. The Christian message can only authentically be proclaimed in and through the community of faith. In our work with others, we build this community of faith and can invite others to share in it.As you gather as a family, talk about some household tasks that are more easily accomplished when two or more people work together. Talk about how working together not only makes the job easier, but also makes the task more fun because we are able to spend time together. Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 6:7-13. Ask: Why do you think Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs? Observe that Jesus continues to give us a community with which we share our life of discipleship—our family and the community of the Church. Conclude in prayer together that we will continue to rely on the support of the community of the Church in our life of discipleship. Pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Text courtesy of Loyola Press
We recommend using the Sunday Connections webpage from Loyola Press throughout the year to help you study and engage the weekly gospels with your children. You can click on this link to Sunday Connections and it will take you to a page with all three Sunday readings with background on the Gospel. Then click on the Family tab at the top for reflections for families and activities to do with kids. You may also want to click on the school grade tabs at the top of the page for ideas of age-appropriate activities and topics of discussion.
July and August Feast Days
In the months of July and August we celebrate the feasts of the St. Junipero Serra (July 1), St. Thomas, Apostle (July 3), St. Anthony Zaccaria, and St. Elizabeth of Portugal (July 5), St. Maria Goretti (July 6), St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions (July 9), St. Benedict (July 11), St. Henry (July 13), St. Bonaventure (July 15), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16), St. Camillus de Lellis (July 18), St. Apollinaris (July 20), St. Mary Magdalene (July 22), St. Bridget (July 23), St. Sharbl Makhluf (July 24), St. James, Apostle (July 25), Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26), Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus (July 29), St. Peter Chrysologus (July 30), St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31), St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1), St. Eusebius of Vercelli (August 2), St. Sixtus II and Companions and St. Cajetan (August 7), St. Dominic (August 8), St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (August 9), St. Lawrence, Deacon (August 10), St. Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12), Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus (August 13), St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), St. Stephen of Hungary (August 16), St. John Eudes (August 19), St. Bernard (August 20), St. Pius X (August 21), St. Rose of Lima (August 23), St. Bartholomew, Apostle (August 24), St. Monica (August 27), and St. Augustine (August 28).
Check out Francisanmedia.org & young-catholics.com where you will find a collection of resources to help you learn more about these astounding men and women.
The St. Francis Prayer for Peace
The Prayer of St. Francis is a beautiful prayer of peace and abandonment of our own purpose to God’s will. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Check out young-catholics.com.
Below is a bulletin made especially for children. Each week it contains activities like; puzzles, gap-fills, and summaries or explanations related to the Sunday readings. Print out the images below and work with your child to prepare for Sunday’s readings and learn about the saint of the week.
St. Francis of Assisi Peace Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console,to be understood as to understand,to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive,it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.Amen.
