Be a part of the changing of hearts and lives
A Gospel Enquiry
Introduction
The men who prepare for ordination in a Redemptoris Mater seminary experience what the twelve apostles experienced during their training to be the leaders of Jesus’ church. Sent out in pairs in “a strange land” they carry the Good News to all whom they meet. In doing so, they walk in the shoes of the apostles, so to speak. And they are living the missionary intent of the Neocatechumenal Way.
But it isn’t just priests in training who continue the experience of the Gospel. Such actions are the heart of missionary work. When Pope Francis speaks and writes about all baptized people being missionaries, he has in mind and in his heart, the message about the presence of God in the world that is revealed in this Gospel and the good that is done when God’s power works through God’s co-workers.
The Gospel
He called his twelve followers together and got ready to send them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. This is what Jesus commanded them: “Take nothing for your trip except a walking stick. Take no bread, no bag, and no money in your pockets. Wear sandals, but take only the clothes you are wearing. When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. If the people in a certain place refuse to welcome you or listen to you, leave that place. Shake its dust off your feet as a warning to them.”
So the followers went out and preached that people should change their hearts and lives. They forced many demons out and put olive oil on many sick people and healed them. (Mark 6:7-13 - New Century Version)
The Enquiry
See
Have you ever engaged in a missionary activity similar to that described in Mark’s Gospel? How did you become involved in the action? What did the group share in common? What did you bring to the action that was necessary? In the end, what was irrelevant? How did the action change you?
Look at the opening statement. According to Mark, who is “got ready”? What would that involve? What is the mission that Jesus gives to his followers? When will the mission be completed? What is missing from what Jesus tells them that would disturb you if you were being sent out by him?
What does Jesus promise to his apostles? What happens because they trust him? What conclusions can you make about the power to change people’s lives?
Judge
What amazes you about the before and after of this missionary action?
What does your faith tell you about how Jesus works with his apostles? What do you believe about how Jesus saves people? And what do you believe about salvation that is supported by this event?
What have you learned from this Gospel about being a missionary disciple of Jesus?
Act
As you now understand the work of faith in the world, what needs to change so that you and others can be better witnesses to the power of God at work in people’s lives?
What small action can you take that will contribute to bringing about this change? When and where will you carry out the action and how often?
Who can you involve in your action and how and when will you get them to participate in your action?
Author: Pat Branson
Image source: https://pastorchrisbass.wordpress.com/2020/03/02/the-first-mission-trip-jesus-sends-out-the-twelve/
Read more about the practice of taking the Gospel to people in the cities and suburbs:
From Catholic Leader"
“I was really surprised at how people wanted to know what we were doing. People were looking for answers and it was a hope for them. Their faces lit up and they wanted to participate in whatever way they could.”
Think about how comfortable we have become being Christians that we forget what being a Christian is all about. One of the major discoveries historans came to realize about the early church movement in the first two hundred years was the importance of meals, How much focus they placed on meals, here is the US the closed thing that come to that experience of the early followers is what we would call Protestant Suppers.