Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July
12, 2015
Gospel: Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send
them out two by two and gave them
authority over unclean spirits (1). He instructed (2) 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 (3). He said to
them, “Wherever you
enter a house, stay there until you leave. 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 (4). The Twelve
drove out many demons, and they anointed (5) with oil
many who were sick and cured them.
(http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071215.cfm)
The difficult words
(1) Unclean spirits are devils.
(2) To instruct means is to teach.
(3) A tunic was the robe or outer garment
worn in that time.
(4) Repentance means sorrow for one's sins, a
change of heart.
(5) To anoint with oil was to rub holy oil on
someone as a prayer for strength and healing.
This week’s spotlight
Appearances of the risen Jesus
After his resurrection, Jesus first appeared to Mary
Magdalene who was crying in front of his tomb.Then he appeared to the apostles
in their hiding place. Each time, Jesus spoke a comforting word to his friends:
"Woman, why are you crying?" or “Peace be with you!” Before going up
to the Father, Jesus promised to send his Holy Spirit to his followers to give
them the courage to leave their homes and announce the good news: death is no
longer terrifying because Jesus has risen from the tomb!
Missions
To be a “missionary” is to go to people who do not yet
know Jesus and tell them about him. These people might be living in other
countries - or they might be our next-door neighbors! In the Gospel of John
(20: 21), Jesus says: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” It is the
mission of the Church, and therefore of each baptized person, to share the good
news so that all people may discover Jesus and believe in him. The apostles
were the first missionaries. The Holy Spirit calls us to be missionaries, too.
Who are the people in your life that don't know Jesus? How can you be a
missionary to them?
Reflection
I have good news!
Jesus spent time with his twelve friends.
He taught them about his Father and performed great miracles in their presence.
The apostles saw how people loved to hear Jesus’ words, how much they believed
in him, and how Jesus inspired them to change their lives. Today, it’s the
apostles’ turn to go out and announce the good news about God. Jesus sends them
out two by two to tell others about his love for them. The apostles know that
they can’t share the good news with strangers and perform miracles of their own
without help. They rely on the faith and courage that Jesus has given them.
They believe in Jesus and so, when he sends them, they go! The apostles share
their faith with others, help people to change their lives, and even cure the
sick! That is their first mission, the beginning of the long and beautiful
story of the Church. Thanks to the mission of the apostles you have heard about
Jesus and believe in him. So now, it’s your turn to be a witness and to become
part of this great story!
Discussion questions
1. How many disciples were sent out together?
2. What were they allowed to bring with them?
3. What could they wear on their feet?
4. What would the disciples do if people did not listen to them?
5. According to the Gospel, what is the results after the disciples were
sent out?
Praying after Communion
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in communion
with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. God our Father, we
have received the good news that you love us as your own children. May
the communion with the body and
blood of your Son Jesus give me the strength to become a witness of your love.
Crossword Puzzle
Source: http://www.usccb.org - Magnifikid - www.sermons4kids.com
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/15_07_12.mp3
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/15_07_12.mp3