TWO WAYS OF ADDRESSING THE ILLS OF THE WORLD.

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR B
July 12, 2009.
(First reading: Amos 7:12-15) (Psalm 85:9-14)
(Second reading: Ephesians 1:3-14) (Gospel: Mark 6:7-13)


TWO WAYS OF ADDRESSING
THE ILLS OF THE WORLD.

Here are some of the ills of the world: Wars, hunger, disease, hypocrisy, lies, oppression, injustice, torture, cruelty, greed, inequality, discrimination, disposssession, abortion, and so on.

Jesus gives his followers authority to address the ills of the world. "He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits" [over the unclean spirits of sin, injustice, war, oppression, inequality, discrimination, cruelty, falsehood, greed] (Mark 6:7).

We must keep in mind that just as Jesus sent out his disciples to accomplish the above mission, so do the world sends out its followers to destroy the works of Jesus.

There are two options: Either we follow the command of Jesus or we follow the command of the world.
- If we decide to heed the command of Jesus, we must use the means Jesus puts at our disposal: His power and authority rooted in justice, peace, compassion, care and respect for others.

Behold how Jesus instructs his disciples: "Take nothing for the journey but a walking stick - no food, no sack, no money" (Mark 6:8). (This is a way to symbolize total detachment from the means and methods of the world).

- If we decide to heed the command of the world, we will be bound to use the means and methods of the world: Abuse, weapons, dispossession, torture, lies. Thus, instead of curing the illnesses of the world we will be making them worse.

The fruits of those who follow the way of Jesus are described in Psalm 85:
"We will... proclaim peace.
Prosperity will fill our land.
Love and trust will meet;
justice and peace will kiss.
Truth will spring from the earth;
justice will look down from heaven.
The Lord will surely grant abundance;
our land will yield its increase.
Prosperity will march before the Lord,
and good fortune will follow behind".