The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of our Covenant relationship to God and our mission to share that relationship with others.
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The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews presents some penalties of Disobedience.
* [12:18–29] As a final appeal for adherence to Christian teaching, the two covenants, of Moses and of Christ, are compared. The Mosaic covenant, the author argues, is shown to have originated in fear of God and threats of divine punishment (Heb 12:18–21). The covenant in Christ gives us direct access to God (Heb 12:22), makes us members of the Christian community, God’s children, a sanctified people (Heb 12:23), who have Jesus as mediator to speak for us (Heb 12:24). Not to heed the voice of the risen Christ is a graver sin than the rejection of the word of Moses (Heb 12:25–26). Though Christians fall away, God’s kingdom in Christ will remain and his justice will punish those guilty of deserting it (Heb 12:28–29). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 48 praises the Glory and Strength of Zion.
* [Psalm 48] A Zion hymn, praising the holy city as the invincible dwelling place of God. Unconquerable, it is an apt symbol of God who has defeated all enemies. After seven epithets describing the city (Ps 48:2–3), the Psalm describes the victory by the Divine Warrior over hostile kings (Ps 48:4–8). The second half proclaims the dominion of the God of Zion over all the earth (Ps 48:9–12) and invites pilgrims to announce that God is eternally invincible like Zion itself (Ps 48:13–14). (Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus proclaims the Mission of the Twelve.
* [6:7–13] The preparation for the mission of the Twelve is seen in the call (1) of the first disciples to be fishers of men (Mk 1:16–20), (2) then of the Twelve set apart to be with Jesus and to receive authority to preach and expel demons (Mk 3:13–19). Now they are given the specific mission to exercise that authority in word and power as representatives of Jesus during the time of their formation.
* [6:8–9] In Mark the use of a walking stick (Mk 6:8) and sandals (Mk 6:9) is permitted, but not in Mt 10:10 nor in Lk 10:4. Mark does not mention any prohibition to visit pagan territory and to enter Samaritan towns. These differences indicate a certain adaptation to conditions in and outside of Palestine and suggest in Mark’s account a later activity in the church. For the rest, Jesus required of his apostles a total dependence on God for food and shelter; cf. Mk 6:35–44; 8:1–9.
* [6:10–11] Remaining in the same house as a guest (Mk 6:10) rather than moving to another offering greater comfort avoided any impression of seeking advantage for oneself and prevented dishonor to one’s host. Shaking the dust off one’s feet served as testimony against those who rejected the call to repentance.
* [6:13] Anointed with oil…cured them: a common medicinal remedy, but seen here as a vehicle of divine power for healing. (Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Steve Scholer comments that sadly, in today's world, it seems that two things headed for extinction are communicating with strangers and trusting in their innate goodness.
Our polarized culture is too often focused on talking only to people with whom we share our small worldview, and distrusting everyone else's view or comment. Maybe if we were willing to embark on a pilgrimage such as the 12 disciples did and the novices still do, without out all the "baggage" we carry with us of preconceived notions, we might be able to communicate more openly with others and realize that we need their trust and understanding as much as they need ours. (Scholer, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus gives them power to heal and cast out evil spirits,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"The grace bestowed upon the holy apostles is worthy of all admiration. But the bountifulness of the Giver surpasses all praise and admiration. He gives them, as I said, his own glory. They receive authority over the evil spirits. They reduce to nothing the pride of the devil that was so highly exalted and arrogant. They render ineffectual the demon's wickedness. By the might and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, burning them as if they were on fire, they make the devil come forth with groans and weeping from those whom he had possessed... "He glorified his disciples, therefore, by giving them authority and power over the evil spirits and over sicknesses. Did he honor them without reason and make them famous without any logical cause? How can this be true? It was necessary, most necessary, that they should be able to work miracles, having been publicly appointed ministers of sacred proclamations. By means of their works, they then could convince men that they were the ministers of God and mediators of all beneath the heaven. The apostles then could invite them all to reconciliation and justification by faith and point out the way of salvation and of life that is this justification." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 47) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 6:7-13 comments that Jesus was purposely teaching the disciples to put their trust in him. He knew how easy it is to forget about relying on him when we feel comfortable and all our needs are met. By putting the disciples in a position where they had to trust God for their basic needs, he was giving them the chance to strengthen their faith.
But the truth is, you’re never really unprepared. You have the Spirit within you! He can help you find the right words to say and give you the courage to say them. He can even smooth over any mistakes you might think you made and give you the humility to try again. All he wants is for you, like these disciples, to open your mouth and try. With time and practice, you’ll get better and better at it.
“Lord, thank you for equipping me to share your good news!” (Meditation on Mark 6:7-13, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the author of Hebrews contrasts the theophany on Mt. Sinai with how we approach God face to face with the angels and saints through a New Covenant ratified in the Blood of Jesus. The twelve are sent to proclaim the New Covenant trusting in Providence to provide for their needs. Friar Jude reminds us that God chose people as coworkers to complete the mission through the community of the Church.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev who considers how the Hebrew prophets warned against idolatry, cautioning against the pursuit of power and control instead of trust in the living presence of God.
The biblical prophets called out the many false idols that people grab hold of in attempts to feel substantial, secure, and in control. These idols include power, wealth, fame, beauty, knowledge, and possessions. For the prophets, these idols were a double abomination. First, people inevitably resort to multiple forms of oppression—lies, manipulation, bribery, forced labor, theft, murder—in pursuit of these idols. Second, bowing down to these false deities ultimately distances people from Living Presence (God) and from life itself. (Rohr, n.d.)
Bishop Mariann Budde, in her homily, A Service of Prayer for the Nation, commented
Our Scriptures are quite clear about this—that God is never impressed with prayers when actions are not informed by them. Nor does God spare us from the consequences of our deeds which always, in the end, matter more than the words we pray. (Rohr, n.d.)
We are exhorted to examine our commitment to the Covenant and our openness to surrender to Providence to complete our mission.
References
Hebrews, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12?18
Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?7=#49006007
Meditation on Mark 6:7-13. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/06/1196365/
Psalms, PSALM 48 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/48?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Idolatry of Control. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-idolatry-of-control/
Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/020625.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Gave Them Authority over Sickness and Unclean Spirits. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb6
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