15TH SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH
THEME: YOU HAVE A MISSION: HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
(Mark 6:7–13)
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. On this day of the Lord, Jesus called and sent His apostles two by two. Prior to their departure, Jesus sat them down and gave them some instructions that would guide them. These instructions are also important to us who are sent into our own world as apostles of God.
Let us, therefore, pay attention to Jesus Christ, who calls us to be with Him in order to be sent out to draw all men to where He is.
HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE UNCLEAN
To have authority over the unclean demands that we be clean, pure, and holy. We should not be like what we condemn. Our mission on earth demands that we manifest our superiority over and above the various spirits, mentalities, programs, projects, and forces that are Antichrist. We have to do an introspective work. The mission should begin with us. We have to allow the word and will of God to take root in us. We need to be purified by the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be set free from mundane ties and diabolic strangleholds. We need the Spirit of discernment to know these spirits and be able to authoritatively dismantle them from their foundation. May the Good Spirit of God lead us.
NOTHING BUT THE STAFF
In our mission on earth, we should go with nothing but Christ. Any other thing outside Christ comes from the evil one.
The staff in hand gives us spiritual support and confidence. With it, we are able to wage war against the enemies of our faith. With the staff we stand firm against heresies, we confront falsehood, we journey without falling, we guard, guide, and direct in accordance with the will of God.
We go with the staff to strike down and crush the intimidating forces in the world and the wild beasts coming to draw us and the people of God from God. With the staff, we bring back erring brethren to the faith, encouraging them to remain in the one fold. The staff is also used for correction and discipline. Hold your staff as a Christian firm; your staff as a Christian father, mother, political leader, civil servant, etc. Stamp your authority as a child of God. Let everyone around you know where you are coming from and where you are going to (heaven).
WEAR YOUR SANDALS
The sandals protect you from direct contact with the ground, with weapons and safety from reptiles. Do not allow forces from below to pull you down. Trample upon the satanic influences. Don’t listen to the deceit of the world, the devil, and the flesh that claims to give you protection. You bear the mark of the Holy Trinity on you. No other mark or incantation should be traced on you. You don’t need any other extra thing to be added. In Christ, you’ve got all you need to achieve your goal. Only God will fortify you in the mission He has sent you on earth. He who called you is worthy. Run to Him for your safety.
TOUCH LIVES
The mission is given to us all today to touch lives positively. To bring people to repentance. To bring healing to the sick, hope to the hopeless and deliverance to those possessed by demons.
Let us go about these missions diligently. We may face challenges along the way, but the grace of God works in us as we journey with Him. Some will receive us, and others will reject us. But let’s always go to people as ‘Godsents’ that He may bless us for being His missionaries.
LET US PRAY
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of today. Thank You for reminding us of our mission on earth. May we follow Your instructions and go about them under the inspiration and direction of Your Spirit through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Happy Sunday (15th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr. B)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh