Shake It Off

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

11 July 2021 

 

First Reading: AM 7:12-15

Responsorial Psalm: 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Second Reading: EPH 1:3-14 or 1:3-10

Gospel: MK 6:7-13

 

Reflection

By: Grace Madrinan

 

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send him out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits". - Mark 6:7

I have not experienced being summoned and sent on a mission as serious as the disciples on the Gospel. The closest assignment that I can recall was giving flyers to passersby inside the mall and inviting them to our Catholic prayer community called The Feast. Unfortunately, I was received with offending stares or ignored completely.

How much more difficult it must have been with the disciples back then, to think that they are dependent on the hospitality of the town they are visiting. Surely not everyone is welcoming an unfamiliar teaching. But just like Jesus had instructed, "Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them (Mark 6:11)". So the disciples went on with their task, shrugged off the rejections and moved on. And because of their perseverance, "They drove out demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them (Mark 6:13)".

My task may not be as grand as the disciples, but I would like to believe that even with the littlest task I did for the community, I had somehow contributed to spread the Gospel. It is good to note that despite the rejections I experienced, there were also some who responded positively to the flyers I was distributing. Some of those we engaged in conversation were even happy to learn that there was a nearby Feast community that they could join.

I believe this is the message of today's Gospel. We have to carry on with the job regardless of how we are received by society. For as long as we know that we are an instrument to God's plan, we just need to shake off the rejections and focus on the mission at hand. Just like what Mark 4:26-27 says, "...it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land . Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how". We just need to spread His Word and trust that He will make it grow.

 

Prayer

 

Dear God, though we are unworthy, we thank You that You have entrusted us to spread the Gospel. Guide us and give us the courage to pursue the task at hand regardless of the outcome. Amen.