Towards a collective reflection - José Antonio Pagola

Fifteenth Sunday of the Year B – 12 July 2015

Towards a collective reflection

José Antonio Pagola

Jesus does not send his disciples without careful thought. To collaborate in his Project of the kingdom of God and prolong his mission, a life style has to be observed. If not, they will be able to do many things, but they will not bring his spirit into the world. Mark reminds us of some of the recommendations of Jesus.

In the first place, who are they to act in the name of Jesus? What kind of authority do they have? According to Mark, on sending them, he “gives them authority over unclean spirits.” He does not give them power over people they happen to meet along the way. Neither has he used his power to rule but in order to heal.

As always, Jesus is thinking of a more healthy world, free of malign forces that enslave and dehumanize human beings. His disciples will introduce his healing power among peoples. They will open paths in society, not by exercising power over people, but by humanizing their lives, alleviating the suffering of people, promoting the growth of freedom and fraternity.

They will take with them only a “walking stick” and “sandals”. Jesus thinks of them as pilgrims. Always on the way. Not tied to anything, nor to anyone, taking along only what’s indispensable, with the agility Jesus had to be present wherever someone needed him. The staff of Jesus is not to rule, but to help him walk.

They will have with them no bread, no beggar’s bag, no money . They must not be obsessed with their own security. They have with them something more important: the Spirit of Jesus, his Word, and his Authority to humanize the lives of people. Strangely, Jesus is not thinking of what they have to take along to be effective, but in what they do not have to have lest one day they forget the poor and are surrounded by their own prosperity. 

Neither should they take along a spare tunic. They will dress with the simplicity of the poor. They will not dress in sacred vestments like the ones the priests of the Temple wear. Neither will they dress like John the Baptist in the solitude of the desert. They will be prophets in the midst of people. Their lives will be a sign of the closeness of God to all, above all, to those most in need.

This society needs as never before the impact of men and women who know to live with little or nothing; believers who can prove that happiness does not lie in accumulating goods.

Those who live a simple life style and in generous solidarity are those who today best preach the conversión our society most needs.

Will we ever one day dare to make in the heart of the church a collective examination to allow ourselves to be enlightened by Jesus and to see how we have continued to stray from his spirit, almost without noticing it?