Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, February 6, 2025, Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24

Psalm 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11

Mark 6:7-13                            Full Readings

Saint Paul Miki and Companions

Sent Two by Two

Today, we read from the final section of the Letter to the Hebrews, and the excitement is tangible in this section. The comparison is being made between the two covenants, the one made on Mount Sinai by Moses and the other made on Mount Zion by Jesus the high priest and mediator. In the former, the whole accent was on the awe and majesty of the scene and the danger of death for anyone who came too close, the frightening, noisy confusion; even Moses himself was afraid. In the latter, all is peace and celebration, with millions of angels gathered for the festival, and everyone is a first-born son, supremely valuable as individuals. This is the prospect to which everyone is looking forward.

This sums up the two main themes of the Letter, the theme of pilgrimage, the ineffectual pilgrimage to Mount Sinai at the time of the desert wanderings, contrasting with the pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem. The overall theme of the Letter, however, is the ineffectiveness of the sacrifices of the Old Law, contrasting with the supreme efficacy of the priesthood and blood of Christ. The purpose of the Letter is to liberate the Hebrew priests from their hankering after the sacrifices of the Old Law. In this summing up, that priesthood and the ineffective sacrifice of Moses is not even mentioned in the contrasting excitement of the approach to God, the welcoming supreme Judge, and to Jesus, the mediator who brings the new covenant of supreme and lasting value.

In today's Gospel, Jesus sends out the twelve two by two to proclaim the Kingdom of God which is at hand, and he gives them the instructions which they are to follow. He instructs his Apostles on how they are to carry out their mission. First of all, they are to proclaim the Kingdom of God by performing miracles and casting away evil spirits by the authority which he gave them. Secondly, they are to carry nothing for their journey, for the worker deserves his or her pay, and the people they are proclaiming to will take care of them. This was an encouragement to them to only rely on God's providence and more still because of the urgency of the mission, and so they are to travel light for speed. They should wear sandals rather than go barefoot, also for speed and security. They are to rely for their provisions on the welcome they receive, and if they are unwelcome, they should not waste time on those who reject them.

Jesus did not send the Apostles out alone; instead, he sent them two by two. Why? This shows the importance and strength of working together to bring about the Kingdom of God. This idea of going out two by two is reminiscent of Noah gathering and bringing the animals two by two into the ark (Genesis 7:9). Two were needed to multiply life, and to be fruitful. Perhaps Jesus sent the Apostles, and later the seventy-two disciples (Luke 10:1), in the same way, because two could more effectively “multiply” the message of the Gospel. Sometimes working with others to build up Christ’s Kingdom can be difficult, but our diverse ideas, strengths, and personalities make us stronger and more effective together. 

Jesus knows our human weakness. He knows that by ourselves we will most likely fail, but with the Christian support of another, we are greatly strengthened. This is because Jesus’ mission is not only something we do ourselves; it’s something that is communal as well.  We are each one piece in His mission. However, to fulfil that mission, we need the love and support of others.  We need to go two by two into the battle. We as Christians, need to learn how to live together as a community in proclaiming the word of God; even Jesus did do it himself. Two heads are better than one; when we join together our strengths and talents as St. Paul uses the image of our human body, we can make the kingdom of God visible here on earth. Love is our weapon in this community living.

As Jesus gave authority to his Apostles, he also gave us that authority in our different apostolates. This is not only some supernatural power to cast out demons; rather, it’s much more extensive. It is the power of true Christian charity. Charity, or love, overwhelms the evil one and renders him powerless in our lives. Unity, selflessness, sacrifice, humility, faith, truth, and all other virtues are among the most powerful weapons in our Christian mission. The evil one does not know what to do with these. We do not necessarily have to engage in some sort of dramatic spiritual warfare to battle against evil but simply loving God and living that love in our daily lives, and we will, in a sense, be casting out demons. We will have victory in our Christian living because God will take care of all the rest. It’s His mission, and He is the one summoning and sending us.

Reflect today upon the need to work together in mission as Jesus summons us today. How do we live together in our Christian families, in our churches, and in all Christian communities? Is there love, unity, selflessness, sacrifice, and humility among these communities, or are there always quarrels, individualism, hatred, jealousy, competition, and all other evil thoughts towards each other? 

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus, I pray for Christian unity in mission and make me a channel of your healing power and merciful love so that others may find abundant life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the treasure of your heavenly kingdom. May I witness the joy of the Gospel both in word and deed. Amen

Be blessed