15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

1st Reading                Amos 7: 12-15

Psalm                           85: 9ab & 10. 11-12. 13- 14 (R. 8)

R:// "Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation"  

2nd Reading             Ephesians 1: 3-14

Gospel                        Mark 6: 7-13

THREE DIMENSIONS OF MISSIONARY SUPPORT

Dear friends, we identify that today is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). Nearly and steadily, we are getting to the first half of the Church’s liturgical year. This clearly shows us that we are on a journey. As such, every journey is marked by certain dimensions of support. The Word of God for this Sunday, especially the Gospel passage, seems to zoom our focus towards these dimensions of support for every journey. 

The Gospel passage, from Mark 6: 7-13, contextually deals with the issue of the mission of the Twelve. Jesus sends out the Twelve. Already in Mark 3: 13-19, we told about who these Twelve are, who are called "apostles." There are three things we can sift out for our reflection pertaining to three dimensions of missionary support. Let us now understand that, comparatively, today's passage parallels Matthew 10: 7-15 and Luke 9: 1-10: 4. There are some Synoptic differences. 

The first dimension of missionary support, as indicated in today's passage, is the fact that the Twelve were sent out "two by two" (δύο δύο) (Mk. 6: 7). Matthew's account does not mention such a prominent detail, making it something we can focus on. I want to suggest that the first kind of support needed for any kind of missionary journey is emotional support. We need to underscore this by asserting that the number two (2) is a number of witnessing (Num. 35: 30; Deut. 17: 6; Deut. 19: 15). You need at least 2 people to help ascertain your claim in a typical judicial and doctrinal setting. Sending the Twelve out in pairs serves to tell us that the presence of the other individual ascetains the message they teach. 

In addition to that, we are aware of the famous narrative in Genesis 7 about Noah and the flood. We find the phrase "two by two" there also (Gen. 7:9). The phrase is used to describe the number of each animal that is to enter the Ark. The "two by two" mentioned is in reference to a male and a female of every animal. The reason is simple. It is to secure the animals from not going into extinction and to procreate again after the flood. For the Twelve, they are sent out "two by two" so that they do not get lost and their whereabout is not known. The number "two" is not only of witnessing but also of regenerating or giving life again. When all seem to be hopeless, the other provides the emotional support and reenergizes the other. On any missionary journey, the emotional support of others is very important, especially those we journey with. 

As a Church, we are fully aware of the ongoing Synodal Process (Synod on Synodality), inviting us to "journey together" even as we listen to each other. By doing this, we provide the need witness and emotional support to one another. Mission is not done alone. 

The second dimension of missionary support lies in another novelty in Mark's account. Mark tells us that the Twelve can carry "a staff" and "sandals" (Mk. 6: 8-9). Matthew (10: 10) and Luke (9: 3; 10: 4) prohibit them. The Greek word used for "Staff" is "RABDOS". A "Rabdos" is used to support oneself when one is tired, especially on a long journey, and also serves as an instrument for self-defence against thieves and wild animals. It is used for driving thieves away when one is attacked on a journey.  In fact, in Psalm 23: 4, the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) uses the word "Rabdos" to refer to "Rod". In Hebrew, it is "SHIVTEKHA". The Shepherd, in Psalm 23: 4, uses the "Rabdos" to defend the flock from thieves and wild animals, making the Rod an instrument of defence. The "SANDALION" (Sandals) is needed to protect the feet. Mark is writing to Gentiles. He is aware that Gentiles make a lot of travelling to other nations to do business and practice religion. They do not live in a Jewish land. Even if they did, that it not their home. They will, therefore, travel from far distances. To protect their feet, footwear will be needed. The second dimension of missionary support is physical security or support. Going on mission needs a certain degree of physical protection and security. That is not a matter to contend with since the individual making the journey procures that for himself. As well, missionaries today need an amount of physical protection since the message of the Kingdom will be met with hostility. 

The third dimension of missionary support is what we find similar to Mark and Matthew's account. The Gospel mentions that, "If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district" (Mk. 6: 10). The focus is on the word HOUSE (OIKOS). The nuance of the word "House" helps us appreciate the "dwelling of the Lord," not only a physical house. We get this idea when we refer to one Old Testament usage of HOUSE to sometimes refer to the Temple (2 Sam. 7: 2; 1 Kings 6: 11-12). That being the case, the missionary support here is spiritual support or security. It is in the Temple and the Synagogue that teachings are done. Just in the preceeding narrative, we find Jesus teaching in the Synagogue in Nazareth, his native place, and he faced rejection (Mk. 6: 1-6). 

You do not embark on any journey without imploring spiritual assistance. For the Twelve, they expect that the very centres of teaching — the Temple and the Synagogues — will be friendly to them since they are places of spiritual abode. They are places where you can give God's peace (Shalom) and receive it back. However, in those places, our messages can be rejected by those who dwell there. Hence, spiritual support from the very people who dwell in the court of the house of the Lord can be very difficult to receive. That is where the problem is. We can be assured of emotional support and physical security. However, it becomes very difficult when you and your message of peace are rejected by the people who live in where you are to stand and teach. 

The comforting word is simple: "Shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them" (Mk. 6: 11). That expression suggests that you do not recognize the presence of God's Peace there and that you do not recognise that house as a House of God or ready to welcome God's peace. 

We can be assured of emotional support and physical security. However, the spiritual support that we need to work dutifully and assiduously can come with hostility even from the places we least expect them to come from — from our own faith communities. Do we sincerely pray for missionaries and workers in God's vineyard? Do we truthfully also assure them of our spiritual support just as we assure them of our emotional and physical security?

On the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B), the Word of God presents three dimensions of missionary support to us — emotional, physical, and spiritual. While the first two are easy to acquire, the spiritual support, which is the core and life of any missionary journey and endeavour, is dwindling. The people we should support in praying for the success of any mission rather relent in doing so. Today, let us endeavour to pray for all those who work, regardless of their human limitations, for the growth of the Kingdom so that our  various illnesses may be cured. 

Pax et Bonum