Petition: Lord, as your heart burns for the souls you love and died for, so enflame my heart with this apostolic zeal.

Gospel Passage: Mark 6: 7-13

He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.  So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Introductory Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, just as you commissioned the apostles to herald your Kingdom, so you send me into the world today.  May I always cling in confidence to the mission you entrust to my hands.  Teach me to trust in spite of trials, and to channel my burning love for you by reaching out to souls.

1. He called the twelve.

Jesus needs you.  He needs his chosen band of faithful apostles to continue the mission of redemption.  Jesus Christ has elected to multiply himself through us, to reach thousands of souls through us, his emissaries.  Christ did not have to do this.  He could have decided to fulfill every aspect of salvation by himself, for indeed the saving of souls is the most pressing desire in his heart.  Yet Jesus love for us is so great, he chose to save man by man.  He has entrusted to us the fulfillment of what he desires so greatly.  The mission of Christ lies in our hands, and Christ waits for our response.

From the beginning of his ministry, he called to him those whom he desired; ...And he appointed twelve, whom also he named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach. From then on, they would also be his emissaries (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christ continues his own mission: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. The apostles ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve, He who receives you receives me (Catechism of the Catholic Church #858).    

2. He Gave Authority

Jesus does not abandon us, however, to complete this task alone.  We cling to the confidence of Christs constant presence and grace.  Alone, we can do nothing, but with Christ we can do anything.  Jesus bestows upon us his power and authority to carry out his mission of redemption.  We act not of ourselves, but in the name of Jesus Christ.  What confidence Christians possess!  If Christ is with us, who can be against us?  The power of God sustains us and in his name, we shall conquer.  All we have to do is trust.  Our world today, as far as it has fallen from God, can and will be brought back to Christ, if we get out there and fight.  All we have to do is trust.  Trust in the omnipotent power of Almighty God.

It is from Gods love for all men that the Church in every age receives both the obligation and the vigor of her missionary dynamism, for the love of Christ urges us on. But the Church, to whom this truth has been entrusted, must go out to meet their desire, so as to bring them the truth. Because she believes in Gods universal plan of salvation, the Church must be missionary (Catechism of the Catholic Church #851).

3. Take Nothing

Anxiety assuredly flared up in the apostles when Christ told them to take nothing but a staff, sandals and tunic. The orders seem disproportionately inadequate to the magnitude of the mission.  Pragmatism and down to earth practicality cringe at the very thought of such rash preparation. Yet if Christ orders it, can trusting Providence be rash?

Jesus asks for childlike abandonment to the providence of our heavenly Father who takes care of his childrens smallest needs: Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink?. . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (Catechism of the Catholic Church #305).

How often, Lord Jesus, do I lack trust in you!  Increase my trust.  I believe I can change this world with nothing but my love for you. 

Conversation: I know, Jesus, that you invite me, as your apostle, to herald your Kingdom among all nations.  You entrust me with the graces you won on Calvary. You call me to distribute these fruits of redemption to souls. Teach me to keep my eyes fixed on the mission and not to fall into the crevices of selfishness or laziness.  Fortify my trust in you so that in every moment I will feel your presence at my side, pushing me forward to let my burning love for you reach out to souls.

Questionnaire:

1. Christ calls me to continue his mission of redemption. Does the salvation of souls burn within my heart?  How does this become a reality in my life?

2. Do I really believe that Christ can change our society today? Does this fill me with joy, enthusiasm and an unwavering hope? What does this move me to do for Christ and his Church?

3. In what ways do I lack trust in God?  How do I overcome those fears and respond to my mission?