"To be participants in His Mission" Mark 6:7-13

"Who will take their place?" "who will be his successor" "How can we replace him" This is a question that’s frequently asked when someone resigns from a management position or gets transferred. 

This shows the genuine interest of the leaders to show their passion for one's mission. Jesus in the gospel and David in the first reading, delegate their authority to their followers. It is written, “Jesus chose and appointed them to be with him and to be sent out” (cf. Mk 3:14). Jesus, who called his apostles to be with him, sends them out two-by-two on the mission.

Three things are worth noting in the narrative, and they are the challenges to us:

(a) ‘He gave them authority’: Jesus was convinced from the beginning that the apostles or disciples were not mere followers; they were participants in the mission. By giving a share of his authority, Jesus not only empowers the apostles but also equates them to himself. He trusts that they will carry the mission forward. Here the importance is not given to persons (Christ and disciples), but the mission itself, there Jesus identifies himself. And, like Jesus, they must subdue evil, its power, and its actions. Every baptized individual is a partner in the mission, having the authority of Jesus. Are we aware of this privilege? And are we in control of evil in our life situations?

In the first reading, David installs Solomon as his successor to the throne. David embraces life, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth.” David not only accepts the realities of life but also surrenders to them. David makes Solomon a participant in the mission as the king of Israel.

(b) Minimalist living

Jesus teaches his disciples to live not only a minimalist lifestyle but also an essentialist way of life, i.e., to declutter our cupboards, bags, and minds. When it was thought that one who has more is more, Jesus proposed an alternative worldview: ‘I am what I am, not what I have.’ He wants his disciples to imitate him in poverty (cf. Mt 8:20). He makes them realise that “life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (cf. Lk 12:15). Minimalist living is proposed today as a lifestyle. Social media and internet decluttering are the needs of the hour.

(c) Honour from within

Jesus instructs his apostles that the greatest honour that comes to us is that which comes from within us. The criticisms, rejections, and misunderstandings that we face from without must not be taken into heart. How do we handle the negative criticism without?

# In our journey towards the synodal church, we must realise that we are participants in a mission. The Synthesis Report, in fact, underlines this. We are not mere spectators of the church’s celebrations, nor are we mere followers of our church leaders. When we encourage participation, we will tap human resources better and make our Church richer. (Ju

Healing needs suffering

 Mk 5:1-20

For, honestly, no discussion of human life would be complete without addressing suffering. Suffering within our souls, but also suffering in our bodies and within the natural world. David in the first reading, the man who had evil spirits suffered in fullness. 

There are three types of suffering; physical, mental and social suffering. The man in today's gospel experienced all of them. Jesus heals a demon(s)-possessed – about 6000 spirits, 1 Legion. He had bruises in his body, He spent sleepless nights stress, depression, and distance from his friends and relatives. When he was healed, they worried for the 2 thousand pigs rather than his healing (because Gerasenes is the gentile nation). David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. He also experienced this humiliation as Shimei, a kinsman of Saul, abuses David in the presence of his servants. he received the cursings, and the experience of suffering in fullness will give wisdom to them. 

with what attitude do you undergo suffering? Some people want others to see how they suffer. But David is not reactive. Nor does he attempt to take revenge on Shimei. David sees in his faith vision that everything comes from God, and God will repay evil with his good.

For me, the most beautiful thing in the gospel, the man who was healed wants to stay with Jesus as Jesus discourages him from following him. It is very strange! When someone, on his own, chooses to follow Jesus, he discourages him. Here, Jesus teaches the man a new type of discipleship. One type of discipleship is to follow Jesus; another type is to go home to tell our friends what God has done to us and how he has shown mercy to us. 

David is going home, not as the same person he was at the last time. go home, Italian proverb goes like this; L’unica regola del viaggio è: non tornare come sei partito. Torna diverso. the only rule of travel is do not return home the same, return differently. David returns home differently, you will see a new king. 

The Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 55:1-11. Mark 1:7-11

Today we celebrate the baptism of our Lord. In liturgy, this day brings Christmastide to an end. On Christmas day, Jesus reveals himself to the Jews (the shepherds); on Epiphany day, he reveals himself to the Gentiles (the wise men from the East); and on the day of his baptism, he reveals himself to the entire humanity. The baptism of the Lord was also called as 'Theophany (‘God’s Revelation’). For it is here, for the first time, that we have the revelation of God the Trinity (Father as a voice from heaven, Son in human person, and Holy Spirit in the form of a dove).

(a) The River Jordan

Have you ever come across the river Jordan in the OT? Yes. In Joshua 3, Joshua is bringing the people of Israel to the promised land by crossing the river Jordan. The journey of liberation that began under the leadership of Moses concludes in the Jordan where Joshua led the people to the Promised Land. Thus, the river Jordan marks a new beginning in the lives of the people of Israel. Joshua (Jesus) of the New Testament, the originator of the New Israel, gets into the Jordan.

(b) Identity with humanity:

The baptism of John was for the forgiveness of sins and for conversion. Jesus’ going to the Jordan tells us his total identity with humanity. By being baptized, He exercised His full humanity. his mission is started as a man incarnated in our form, full identity with our humanity. until now he was with God, in divine form, but now he takes a different form, fully man. entering into the river Jordan, he starts from zero. 

(c) Baptism with the Holy Spirit

John the Baptist says that the one who comes after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit. At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. From now on, the Holy Spirit leads him – to the desert to be tempted, and later to the ministry. The Risen Lord breathes on his disciples and gives them the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 20:22). After his ascension, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured on the apostles.

What is the lesson for us today?

Together with Jesus, we must enter the river Jordan. This becomes the starting point of our lives. Our baptism cleansed us from our sin; we are confirmed in faith through the Holy Spirit at confirmation. Let us be led by the Spirit. The Spirit makes us overcome our human frailty.

In the first reading, the Lord tells the people of Israel, “Come to the waters… why do you labor for that which does not satisfy?” Let our hearts be fixed on that which satisfies our inner spirit. In the faithfulness of God rests our faith.