Readings: Hebrew 12: 128-19, 21-24; Psalm 48; Mark 6:7-13
In the Gospel today, Jesus sends out the twelve with orders to “take nothing for their journey, except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts.” They were simply told to proclaim that all should repent and that some would welcome them and their message. He provided instructions if any would not welcome them.
We hear about repentance AGAIN. Of course, it’s because we are approaching the season of Lent (Ask Wednesday this year is February 17: it’s 2 weeks away) For some reason – maybe it’s because of the pandemic and the lockdown and all the restrictions – this year more than most I am think about repentance. And maybe I am finally catching the message about repentance in scriptures this year. I’m not sure what that means. Maybe I have a different time and space to reflect on it. Or maybe I’m just older and wiser!?! Because of it, maybe I will have a more fruitful Lent this year. Anyway, Jesus expects people to listen to the preaching of his apostles, but he clearly understands that not all will listen. (“shake off the dust”)
Because at our parishes we are not able to welcome people in-person (and in your homes, too) I spend time reflecting on the idea of welcome. That’s what the Gospel today is speaking about: “If any place will not welcome you …” Honestly, I feel our parishes usually do a great job creating a welcome space where people can gather, pray, relax, and enjoy fellowship. But I began to think about how we welcome the stranger, the newcomer, the youth. Here, I think, there is certainly some room for improvement. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus calls us to care for each other. This can simply be translated into how we treat each other: with kindness and respect, with generosity and dignity … All are the hallmarks of the Christian way of life …
Let us take some time, as we prepare for Ash Wednesday, to reflect on the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. They can serve as a benchmark, a sign of how well we share with, care for and welcome into our community of faith those we know and those we do not, especially those who may be a stranger (strange) to us, a little different than us in language, in colour or in creed.