HOMILY: 14TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY: 14TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: TRAVELING LIGHT—THE CHURCH’S PROPHETIC ROLE TODAY
BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa
Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13
Our gospel reading (Mark 6:7–13) reminds us that following Jesus requires embracing a journey of simplicity, humility, and trust. Jesus summons the Twelve Apostles and sends them out with clear instructions, teaching them to rely on God’s guidance and protection, as well as to trust in the goodness of others.
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This mission is more than just a relic of the past; it is a living call to all of us, clergy, consecrated, and laity alike, to embrace our prophetic role and apostolic mission in the world today. Let’s reflect on how this gospel message challenges and inspires us to live out our faith in a way that’s authentic, humble, and impactful.
The word “apostle” simply means “messenger” or “one sent on a mission.” Jesus sent the Twelve Apostles to carry out His work and spread His teachings, message, and love. They also lived in accordance with His values and principles, allowing people to experience God’s guidance and grace through them.
In the Catholic Church, bishops are the spiritual successors of the apostles (CCC 886). They continue the important work of spreading God’s word and caring for His people. The Pope, as the bishop of Rome, has a special role as the successor to the Apostle Peter (CCC 882). Jesus gave Peter a unique leadership role among the apostles (Matthew 16:18–19, John 21:15–17).
This unbroken line of succession from the apostles to our present-day bishops and Pope ensures that the Church remains true to its origins and continues to receive guidance and authority from the apostles (CCC 861–862). That’s why we profess in the creed that our church is apostolic—rooted in the teachings and traditions of the apostles.
When Jesus sends out the Twelve, He gives them four clear instructions, showing His divine guidance and wisdom. This sending out is a special commission from God, similar to how God sent prophets in the Old Testament (Isaiah 6:8; Jeremiah 1:7–10).
Jesus instructed them to “go out two by two” (Mark 6:7), “take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts” (Mark 6:8–9), “wear sandals and do not put on two tunics” (Mark 6:9), and “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave” (Mark 6:10). Let’s reflect on some of these instructions.
They were to “go out two by two” (Mark 6:7), which is a biblically sound directive. The Book of Deuteronomy (17:6; 19:15) emphasizes the need for two witnesses to provide credible testimony. This pairing also represents the communal aspect of discipleship as they journey together on the “hodos,” a Greek term that encompasses the concepts of way, road, journey, and path.
In Mark’s Gospel, the phrase “journey” (hodos) figuratively depicts the way of discipleship (Mark 8:27; 9:33–34; 10:52), emphasizing the disciples’ journey of faith, progress, and accompaniment. By going in pairs along this “hodos,” the Twelve exemplify the Church’s synodal nature, in which laity, religious, and clergy journey together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick” (Mark 6:8). A walking stick is a simple yet versatile tool used for both practical and symbolic purposes. It will assist them in navigating challenging terrains, just as God’s rod guided and protected the Israelites (Psalm 23:4, Ezekiel 29:6-7).
A walking stick also symbolizes their reliance on God’s guidance and protection, reminiscent of David’s trust in God as he faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40–47; Psalm 23:4). So, the apostles are to carry a walking stick as a reminder of God’s presence and protection during their mission.
They are to have “no food, no sack, no money in their belts” (Mark 6:8–9). This emphasizes their complete reliance on God’s sustenance and human hospitality (Matthew 6:25–34; Luke 12:22–31). It resonates with the importance of forsaking attachment to material possessions and embracing the virtue of detachment (Matthew 6:19–21; 1 Corinthians 4:11–12).
It also reflects Pope Francis’ emphasis on embracing vulnerability and humility in ministry (Evangelii Gaudium, 2013). In doing so, the apostles demonstrate that authentic discipleship entails surrendering control and trusting in God’s abundance.
They were to wear sandals, but only one tunic (Mark 6:9). A tunic (chitōn in Greek) is an undergarment worn next to the skin. In ancient times, travelers often wore two tunics for added warmth, especially at night (Luke 3:11; 9:3).
By limiting the apostles to a single tunic, Jesus emphasizes their detachment from material comforts and their reliance on divine providence (Matthew 6:25–34; Luke 12:22–31). It also symbolizes their inner garb of righteousness and humility (Revelation 19:8).
What does this gospel mean to the church today? How, in today’s world, should we interpret the command of Jesus to go forth without money or food, with only sandals, staff, and a single garment?
Brendan Byrne offers this insight: “Today’s Gospel reminds the Church that the effectiveness of its prophetic role—its critique of prevailing cultural assumptions and practices—will largely be in proportion to the ‘lightness’ with which it travels, its trust in the goodness (hospitality) of ordinary people, and the lack of self-seeking its clergy present to the world.” The story of Pope Francis’ visit to Brazil in 2013 illustrates this insight.
Instead of staying in luxurious accommodations, Pope Francis opted for a simple room at a local monastery. He also chose to travel in a small car rather than a luxurious limousine, and he carried his own luggage.
By doing so, Pope Francis demonstrated the “lightness” that Brendan Byrne speaks of. He showed that the Church can critique prevailing cultural assumptions and practices (such as wealth and power) by living simply and humbly, trusting in the goodness of ordinary people, and avoiding self-seeking.
This approach allowed Pope Francis to connect with the people and inspire a renewed sense of faith and hope, particularly among the young. His example showed that the Church’s prophetic role is most effective when lived out with humility, simplicity, and a willingness to listen and learn from others.
The call to travel “lightly” is a universal vocation for both clergy and laity, rooted in the biblical imperative to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). By letting go of our attachment to material things, we can present a humble and selfless face to the world, free from selfish motives, and live out our prophetic role and apostolic mission more effectively.
Today, let us remember that our own journey of discipleship requires embracing simplicity, humility, and trust. May we, like the apostles, be willing to let go of our attachment to material possessions and rely on God’s guidance and protection.
May we, like Pope Francis, demonstrate the “lightness” of traveling with humility and simplicity, and may our prophetic role and apostolic mission be effective in critiquing the prevailing cultural assumptions and practices of our time. Amen.
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