Mission of Peace

Gospel: Mark 6: 7-13

In today's Gospel portion we are given the mission of the Church and of all Christians.  Jesus sends the disciples out two by two in order to anoint the sick with oil; to provide healing of body, mind, and spirit; to liberate people from the demons that oppress them; and to provide nourishment at table.  We are to do these things living simply with few possessions, accepting the hospitality of others wherever we go in this work of mercy.  

It is worth pondering this dynamic.  Disciples are sent into all sorts of lands, places where they are foreigners and strangers.  They fully expect to be treated well in many places as the law of hospitality was a universal one in ancient times.  Yet, even in the places where they would be mistreated, Jesus instructs them not to be vengeful or hateful.  We are to simply shake the dust from our feet and to move on to the next place.  This is an extension of the mission of peace to which we are sent.

It is ironic that so-called Christians who are so harsh to immigrants, migrants, and refugees want to be welcomed into other countries in order to "evangelize".  They are perfectly OK with Christians violating the laws of other nations in order to do so.  Yet they are unwilling to practice the universal law of hospitality to others, especially the poor, destitute, the refugee and migrant fleeing dire poverty and violence in their homelands.  Today's reading gives us much to ponder...