Walking in Faith:
The Radical Call and Commissioning of the Twelve
A Reflection on Mark 6:7-13
Today's Gospel is fascinating because it reveals fundamental principles about ministry, trust, and the nature of spiritual work. Jesus sends the 12 disciples out in pairs, which speaks to the importance of community and mutual support in spiritual endeavors. There's both practical wisdom and symbolic meaning in this - they can encourage each other, validate each other's work, and demonstrate the power of Christian fellowship.
What's particularly striking is how Jesus instructs them to travel: with basically nothing - no bread, no bag, no money, just a staff and sandals. At first, one might think, this seems impractical or even reckless. But there's a profound lesson here about trust and dependence on God. By stripping away all material security, Jesus is teaching the disciples to rely completely on divine provision and the hospitality of others.
The instructions about staying in one house until leaving a town are also meaningful. This isn't just about logistics - it's about building genuine relationships and avoiding the appearance of seeking better accommodations or more comfortable situations. There's a lesson here about contentment and focusing on the mission rather than personal comfort.
The message they were to deliver was also beautifully simple: repentance. Combined with their actions of casting out demons and healing the sick, we see a holistic ministry that addresses both spiritual and physical needs. So that faith impacts the whole person and community.
Perhaps most poignant is Jesus's instruction about rejection. When people won't receive them, they're told to shake the dust off their feet and move on. This teaches us about maintaining peace in our hearts and in our Spirit, in the face of rejection, not forcing our message where it's unwanted, and continuing forward with our mission regardless of others' responses.
This scripture ultimately points to a radical trust in God's provision, the power of simplicity in ministry, and the importance of focusing on the message rather than material concerns. It challenges us to consider how we might be overly dependent on material security in our own spiritual journeys and service to others. Moving forward trusting fully in the Lord, even when you have nothing, knowing God will provide our needs as we move forward. Very powerful indeed.
What aspects of today's gospel particularly resonate with you?
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
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