Covenant of Mission

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.

Mission and Covenant

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 

Witness to Conversion

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept our call to be witnesses to the truth, love, and compassion of the Way of Jesus.

Action and Conversion

President Donald Trump, left, and first lady Melania Trump attend the national prayer service led by Rev. Mariann Budde at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul Tells of His Conversion in Defense before the Jerusalem Jews

* [22:1–21] Paul’s first defense speech is presented to the Jerusalem crowds. Luke here presents Paul as a devout Jew (Acts 22:3) and zealous persecutor of the Christian community (Acts 22:4–5), and then recounts the conversion of Paul for the second time in Acts (see note on Acts 9:1–19). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

The passage from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Conversion of Saul.

* [9:1–19] This is the first of three accounts of Paul’s conversion (with Acts 22:3–16 and Acts 26:2–18) with some differences of detail owing to Luke’s use of different sources. Paul’s experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1 Cor 15:8. The words of Jesus, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” related by Luke with no variation in all three accounts, exerted a profound and lasting influence on the thought of Paul. Under the influence of this experience he gradually developed his understanding of justification by faith (see the letters to the Galatians and Romans) and of the identification of the Christian community with Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor 12:27). That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. At this point, the conversion of the hero of the Gentile mission is recounted. The emphasis in the account is on Paul as a divinely chosen instrument (Acts 9:15).

* [9:2] The Way: a name used by the early Christian community for itself (Acts 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe its mode of life.

* [9:8] He could see nothing: a temporary blindness (Acts 9:18) symbolizing the religious blindness of Saul as persecutor (cf. Acts 26:18).

* [9:13] Your holy ones: literally, “your saints.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 117 is a Universal Call to Worship.

* [Psalm 117] This shortest of hymns calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy. The supremacy of Israel’s God has been demonstrated to them by the people’s secure existence, which is owed entirely to God’s gracious fidelity. (Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes the Commissioning of the Eleven and Signs of Believers.

* [16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20. (Mark, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Kimberly Grassmeyer comments that one (unfortunate) theme binding the two readings is differentiating oneself from "the other".  In the first case this differentiation manifests itself as early followers of Christ being hunted down by the Jew Saul (Paul); in the second, non-believers who will receive condemnation as opposed to the privileges that will accrue to the baptized Christian faithful.

So, how do I claim my faith without fearing the judgments and persecutions that follow it for so many in the world, while also understanding that it has been used to judge and persecute those of other faiths?  How do I commit to and embrace my faith, but not embrace its exclusionary elements? We're all aware of the atrocities committed across time and borders, in the name of religion.  We agree, I hope, that we can and should do better? I want my faith to always lift up.  I want to always model love for the stranger.  I want to live, to the best of my earthly, 21st century ability, the teachings of a loving, forgiving, welcoming Jesus.  Others around me achieve these with more grace and regularity than I do, so I know there is room for me to grow as a Christian.  Will you join me in asking for the strength, wisdom and will to do so?  Amen. (Grassmeyer, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Our witness is trustworthy if we live accordingly,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"For [Paul] truly became a witness to [Jesus], and a witness as one should be, both by what he did and by what he said. We too must be such witnesses and not betray what we have been entrusted. I speak not only of doctrines, but also of our way of life. Look, what he knew, what he heard, he bore witness to this before all, and nothing hindered him. We too have heard that there is a resurrection and ten thousand good things; therefore, we ought to bear witness to this before all. 'We do in fact bear witness,' you say, 'and believe.' How, since we do the opposite? Tell me, if someone should say he was a Christian but should then apostatize and act like a Jew, would his testimony be sufficient? No, not at all; for people would look for testimony through his actions. Likewise, if we say that that there is a resurrection and ten thousand good things but then look down upon them and prefer the things here, who will believe us? For all people pay attention not to what we say but to what we do. 'You will be a witness,' [Christ] says, 'to all' (Acts 1:8). That is, not only to the friends, but also to the unbelievers. For this is what witnesses are for: they persuade not those who know but those who do not. Let us become trustworthy witnesses. How will we become trustworthy? By the life we lead." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 47) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 22:3-16 comments that Paul’s conversion is especially relevant now, at the beginning of this Jubilee Year. For the Jewish people, the Jubilee was a time marked by forgiveness of debts and freedom from bondage. For us, it is a time to celebrate the freedom we have in Christ. God does not want us to define ourselves by our past. He wants to cancel our debts, shower us with his mercy, and offer us the grace to live each day in a way that is pleasing to him.

So no matter how far from the love of Christ you may feel you are, know that he is waiting for you to return to him. There is nothing you have done or will do that disqualifies you from receiving his love and mercy. If he can forgive Paul and use him for his eternal purposes, he can do the same for you!

“Lord Jesus, thank you for offering me a new beginning this Jubilee Year!” (Meditation on Acts 22:3-16, n.d.)

Kathleen Bonnette who works at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, where she also teaches theology, comments that Bishop Budde showed faithful moral courage. Catholics should follow her lead.

Bishop Budde’s act of moral courage in the face of these attempts to further marginalize already vulnerable people is laudable and should inspire the rest of us—especially our pastors and bishops—to proclaim the dignity of all clearly and with conviction from our positions of influence. Statements like that of Bishop Mark J. Seitz, who urged Mr. Trump to “pivot from these enforcement-only policies to just and merciful solutions” are one way to do this, but it will also require explicit comment by clergy and lay leaders in homilies and other public reflections. (Bonnette, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the three accounts of the conversion of Saul, the Aramaic version of Paul, in Acts. The film removed from Paul’s eyes may indicate cataracts as a result of a lightning strike. Friar Jude notes the effect of the serpent bite on Paul’s ministry in the ending of Mark’s Gospel that comes from Matthew.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis who reflects on how we are called to love imperfect people imperfectly.

I’m wondering what love means now. On the way to an election and on the other side of it, whenever you hear these words, who’s your neighbor and how do you love them? Can you see and feel their humanity? Sense their connectedness to you, the way you’re alike, even though you’re different? The way their blood is red, no matter what color their skin is? The way their heart beats, no matter who they love or how they love them? Can you sense your neighbor’s kinship with you and therefore be imagining that their self-interest and your self-interest are intertwined?… (Rohr, n.d.)

We are enlightened by the Spirit to be witnesses to the Way.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/22?3 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9? 

Bonnette, K. (n.d.). Bishop Budde showed faithful moral courage. Catholics should follow her lead. America Magazine | The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://www.americamagazine.org/ 

Grassmeyer, K. (2025, January 25). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012525.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/16?15 

Meditation on Acts 22:3-16. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/ 

Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Go into All the World and Preach the Gospel. Retrieved January 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/