From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

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 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.” (Mark 6:7-13)

EVANGELIZATION INSTRUCTIONS: After the rejection in Nazareth by his own people, Jesus went to other places to preach. Today we read how he sent out his closest friends, the Twelve, with special instructions and powers. Like Jesus, the apostles were to go out preaching and teaching the Good News. Jesus gave them detailed instructions as to what to carry and how long to stay in any given place.

Summary (for the apostles back then and us today):

*We need to move quickly and urgently. There is no need to bring “extra stuff;” trust in God is enough.

*Do not place our trust in “what” we bring to the mission, but rather on “who” we proclaim.

*There is urgency in the proclamation of the Good News. The mission is pressing, so we must keep moving.