February 3, 2022 – Thursday

4th Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr Saint Ansgar, bishop

Gospel: Mk 6:7-13 

7 Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and  gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to  take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no  money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two  tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there  until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they  refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet  as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that  all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with  oil many who were sick and cured them. Jesus sends out the Apostles in pairs because their  missionary expedition is part of their formation to  community living. No mission can be undertaken in  isolation, for God, who is the origin of mission, is a community of  persons. In mission, the pair assume the role of witnesses to each  other’s proclamation, as well as support and source of encouragement  in difficult times. Though working harmoniously is always a  formidable challenge because of differences in temperaments and  backgrounds, the relationship with the co-missionary becomes  the training ground in the exercise of charity. Traveling light is not  only to be understood in the material sense. It could also entail not  accumulating psycho-emotional baggage on the way but focusing on  the essentials of mission and letting those essentials iron out personal  differences. Lord Jesus, may the exercise of mission be a privileged place for growing  in holiness together with fellow missionaries and companions in the  journey. Amen.