Call to prayer: O God, the giver of all good gifts, you fill us to overflowing with the gifts of grace through Jesus Christ. Enlarge our hearts to welcome God with grateful praise into every aspect of our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
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.
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Focus: Jesus sent the twelve to the towns in Galilee. It is a trail mission that looks ahead to the Christian mission to the world at large. All Christians are to speak for God even when the world does not care to listen.
Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words are phrases are important to you?
2. As believers we are graced in Christ. How do today’s Scriptures describe our responsibilities?
3. How do you feel when you are called away on an emergency and you had to leave without the usual necessities?
Concluding prayer: God, all-powerful, your light of truth guides us to the way of Christ. May all who follow him reject what is contrary to the gospel. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, Amen.
