To Teach and Heal
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This is the first organized mission to share the Gospel. Look at what Jesus sends the apostles out to do. He sends them out to do what He’s been doing (to preach repentance, drive out demons, cure the sick). But how can these common men do the same things that God does? The answer is that He gives them His authority. Jesus has authority over the physical and spiritual realms. So when the apostles go out on this mission, with His power, awesome things happen. The apostles don’t accomplish anything on their own, but with Christ’s authority they do great things.
Today, the Church continues on this mission. It troubles many people that the Church claims to work with Christ’s authority in the world today. But Scripture shows clearly that this is how Christ intended His Church to work. The things the apostles have authority to do in this Gospel—to teach and heal—are the same things the Church today has authority to do. We should have confidence that the Church spreads Christ’s teachings and gives Christ’s healing in the Sacraments. During prayer consider how great a gift the Catholic Church is.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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