Sent to Heal

A Reflection on the Gospel for July 11th, 2021:
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark
6.7-13

Jesus 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.

Jesus 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 the twelve went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

Jesus sent out the twelve, two by two, with instructions. He had shown them what to do; given them the authority to cast out demons. To heal the sick. To rely solely on God’s grace; to take nothing for the journey.

I know that over the last two thousand years, there have been many who have lived beautiful lives which explicitly followed Jesus’ instructions, and those saints continue to bless the world today. But as we have lately been reminded once again, there have also been those whose evil actions have been cloaked in a veil of false virtue, not glorifying the name of Jesus but hiding behind it. Jesus, who is God — Redeemer, Healer, and Saviour — NOT power broker and child abuser.

Lord, have mercy. Our collective grief is almost too much. I feel so much sadness, anger, and confusion as we continue to witness the unravelling of the stories of the unspeakable damage that has been done to the hearts, minds, and bodies of generations of people, Indigenous and otherwise. It seems woefully inadequate to say this, but it needs to be said — I, personally, am so, so sorry.

As a Catholic Christian, I have made a commitment to a life of careful self-examination and reliance on God's grace for everything I do; it is a journey of self-discovery, healing, and continuous learning. As we all have, I have failed and fallen; but I re-commit to this life today and ask for forgiveness, from God and from those around me whom I may have hurt. My apology may not be given much weight, but I pray that it does something to help ease the pain and bring Jesus back to His rightful place in the centre of our lives. I ask for the same from my Catholic brothers and sisters, including (and especially) the leadership of our Church.

May we all aspire to add our names to the list of those who have blessed the world, as Jesus gives us the authority to do. May our prophetic voices of love and healing add to the beauty of the chorus of the saints as they sing Your glory, God. Show us all the ways in which we participate in evil without admitting it, or even knowing it. Make us holy, and send us out, Jesus.

Lord, have mercy on all our souls.




​Lindsay Elford
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