Articles

Poor and free for the Gospel

Our religion today is not inspired or instilled by the fear of the terrifying signs of Mount Sinai but rests on Christ, our Mediator of the new covenant, who sacrificed himself for us.
Jesus wants his disciples to be without security and power, so as to be free to go to people in their own life situation and to be free to preach and witness to the Gospel without ambiguity. Would that the Church today could give such an unambiguous witness.

Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24

Unlike your ancestors, you didn’t come to Mount Sinai—all that volcanic blaze and earthshaking rumble—to hear God speak. When they heard the words—“If an animal touches the Mountain, it’s as good as dead”—they were afraid to move. Even Moses was terrified.
No, that’s not your experience at all. You’ve come to Mount Zion, the city where the living God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive angels and Christian citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us just. You’ve come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel’s—a homicide that cried out for vengeance—became a proclamation of grace.

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:
“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.
 “And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
“If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

Prayer

Lord our God,
to go to the poor and to set them free,
your disciples must be credible
as people who are free themselves.
We pray you today for a spirit of poverty
that makes us free and available
to all those imprisoned
by the forces of evil.
May we thus, become authentic witnesses
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever. Amen.