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“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
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 and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many
demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured
them. Mark 6:10–13
During the first half of Jesus’ public ministry, despite the
religious leaders growing increasingly hostile, He accomplished
many things. Numerous conversions took place, many began to believe
He was the Messiah, miracles abounded, and His fame spread far and
wide. During this time, Jesus gave special attention to twelve of
His disciples, setting them apart and designating them as Apostles.
Honored by Jesus’ special attention, perhaps these twelve men
struggled with pride, thinking they were above the rest of the
disciples.
In today’s Gospel, “Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send
them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits”
(Mark 6:7). This divine authority was something new to them, a gift
beyond anything they had ever known. For that reason, Jesus
exhorted them to rely on Divine Providence for their mission,
exercising it with humility and simplicity: “He instructed them to
take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack,
no money in their belts […] He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a
house, stay there until you leave from there’” (Mark 6:8,
10).
This was a pivotal moment for the Twelve. During the first half of
Jesus’ public ministry, the Twelve were our Lord’s students:
listening to Him, accompanying Him, praying with Him, and learning
about the Kingdom of God. Suddenly, the time came for them to act
in Jesus’ name and with His authority. As they went forth, two by
two, preaching repentance in the surrounding towns and villages,
something amazing took place. They witnessed God’s power working
through them, changing lives. With the newfound authority of their
words and actions, they must have been amazed to see miracles take
place at their command and demons fleeing in their presence.
Though the Twelve were entrusted with the unique mission of
becoming the foundation upon which Jesus would build His
Church—especially Saint Peter, the Prince of the Apostles—we must
all see ourselves in this divine commissioning. In accord with the
requirements of our own divinely appointed missions, we, too, will
be entrusted with “authority over unclean spirits.” Though only
those officially sanctioned by the Church act in the formal role of
exorcists, God’s authority is entrusted to each of us to thwart
diabolical activity every day. By simply remaining in a state of
grace and relying upon that grace, we participate in Christ’s
victory over evil, thwarting satan’s works, revealing his lies, and
assisting others in their quest for interior freedom. We do this in
varied ways, depending on our vocations and particular
missions.
Reflect today on the mission Christ has entrusted to you. Parents,
spouses, siblings, co-workers, friends, and neighbors are all
called to share in Christ’s mission in unique and varied ways. As
you ponder your own mission, consider two questions. First, have
you, like the Twelve, embraced repentance and conversion by drawing
closer to our Lord? Have you committed yourself to deepening that
conversion so as to be more fully united with Christ? Secondly,
have you allowed your union with Christ to equip you for the
mission God has entrusted to you? Do you sense His divine authority
in your life, enabling you to preach in His name through your words
and deeds? Does your mere presence bring Christ’s grace, dispelling
darkness and evil? Resolve to continue the mission given to the
Twelve in accord with God’s will, and you, too, will be amazed at
what God will do through you.
My glorious Lord, You called the Twelve and formed them in Truth
and grace, drawing them into lives of profound conversion. You then
sent them forth in Your name to preach repentance and to dispel
evil with authority. Please draw me close to You and form me by
Your grace so that I not only know, love, and serve You more fully,
but also become a greater instrument of Your grace to others.
Jesus, I trust in You.
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