The Commissioning of the disciples

February 01, 2018
Thursday, 4th Week in
Ordinary Time
1st Reading: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12 Gospel: Mk 6:7–13

Jesus called the Twelve to him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits. And he ordered them to take nothing for the journey except a staff; no food, no bag, no money in their belts. They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic. And he added, “In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place. If any place doesn’t receive you and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them.”So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them.

D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in
the Assimilated Life
Experience)

My most memorable Sinulog experience as a media practitioner was ten years ago when I went on air literally because I was up in the air on board a chopper to observe the street dancing in Cebu. I was told that they had to let go of the broadcast technician to accommodate me. Noticing an empty seat in the chopper, I asked the pilot, “Why didn’t we take with us the broadcast technician?” The pilot explained, “Carrying too much load is bad for flying”. “Anyway, we don’t’ need a broadcast technician up here”, the pilot added. What a rich source of ideas for reflection! Just as too much load is bad for aviation, so is undue preoccupation with material provision bad for a noble mission. Jesus himself had warned his evangelizers in today’s Gospel reading not to carry so many things along the way. In fact he ordered them not carry anything for the journey other than a walking stick. They were forbidden from bringing with them food, bag, and money. They were not even allowed to bring an extra tunic.

By our baptism we too have received the commission to be witnesses to faith. We are supposed to tell the world that this life is meaningful only when it becomes conducive to embracing God in others. How can we become true witnesses if we wallow in materialism and despise our neighbors in defiance of God’s desire that we love him in other people?

Witnessing is like a helicopter ride. Just as flying places one above the rest, witnessing urges one to rise above all others in terms of material detachment, and to excel in the art of loving. While flying means going up in order to observe others down below, witnessing means going down below in order to raise others up. This way, we also soar high till we get to the bosom of God, our only Master. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M. Email: [email protected].

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