Come to my house ~ Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Amos: 7:12-15

Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)

Eph 1:3-14

Mk 6:7-13

"Come to my house" is certainly an expression of hospitality and this is surely the kind of invitation that the disciples were looking for as Jesus sent them forth two by two to preach the Good News to the people.  We know from reading Mark's Gospel, each pair were going blindly, not knowing whether they would be accepted in the towns and villages they were headed for.  Jesus had given them the authority to drive out unclean spirits and to cure those who were sick; however, he would not allow them to take provisions or extra clothing with them.  Jesus wanted his disciples to trust completely on God's providence and on the willingness of the people to assist them in their needs.

Jesus realized that not everyone would accept his Good News or their need for repentance.  Those people would not show the disciples the hospitality that they deserved.  In those instances, Jesus advised the disciples to leave the town and shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them.

In our lives today, we hear Jesus inviting us to come to his House.  To believe and trust in him; to gather together to hear his Word; to break bread together.  We know he is present in the midst of the community as we gather in his Name.  He is present as we share his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion.  He is present with us as we go out to share his Word in our daily lives by the way we live and love.

As we begin a new chapter in the life of our parish, we want to come together to work with our priest to bring the Good News to everyone who may have lost their way... To welcome home those who have been searching elsewhere.  All of us are needed to accomplish this task.  Each of us has a gift to offer the community.

Paul reminds the Ephesians and us, as well, that God loves us so much that he has destined us for adoption as his sons and daughters.  That he has a purpose for us; that we have been redeemed according to his plan, and that in the fullness of time, all things in heaven and earth will come together in Christ, our salvation...

This is Good News for sure!


 ~ Image by James Tissot, 1836-1902

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