Reflection for Thursday February 5 Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr: Mark 6:7-13

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.  

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Reflection:   

A young man was considering a career in writing for God. However, he was hesitant because he knew deep in his heart that he might not intellectually measure up to such a huge responsibility. This was because he did not have any background in writing.

He shared his desire and his perceived intellectual shortcomings with a friend. His friend advised him to move forward and follow his desire. He was also told not to be disturbed by his intellectual shortcomings, for God would fill whatever was lacking in him.

The twelve apostles whom Jesus sent on mission are like many of us. Many of them were ordinary fishermen—simple men who were transformed into fishers of men through Jesus. Perhaps when they were about to be sent to their mission areas, they quietly asked themselves, “Will I measure up to this huge responsibility?” Perhaps some even thought of going back to their old lives, where everything felt safe and familiar.

But Jesus did not choose them because they were already perfect or fully prepared. He chose them because they were willing. He assured them of His presence and support, and that was enough for them to move forward.

Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7). He instructed them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick (Mark 6:8). It was as if Jesus was telling them—and now telling us—to follow Him without being burdened by our weaknesses and shortcomings. He wants us to trust that He will supply what we lack, strengthen what is weak in us, and complete what is incomplete within us.

The apostles obeyed Jesus and entrusted their mission to His guidance. Because of this, they became fruitful in their mission. They drove out many demons, and they healed the sick by anointing them with holy oil (Mark 6:13). Their success did not come from their own strength or ability. It came from their faith and trust in the One who sent them.

Oftentimes, we fail to do what Jesus is calling us to do, not because we are incapable, but because we are afraid. Sometimes we hesitate because we doubt, and sometimes we remain stuck because we rely too much on our own strength instead of trusting God.

Because of this, we delay taking the first step toward the mission God has prepared for us. And when we refuse to move, we not only fail to grow—we may also miss the blessings God wants to pour into our lives and into the lives of others through us.

If we truly desire to follow Jesus, we must follow Him with faith. We must learn to trust Him completely—even when we feel unready, unqualified, or unsure. For God does not call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls.

Let us pause and listen to the quiet voice of God within our hearts. Where is He calling us to serve? What mission has He placed before us that we are afraid to begin? What step of faith is He asking us to take today?

If Jesus is calling us now, will we continue to focus on our weaknesses… or will we trust Him enough to step forward and allow Him to work powerfully through us? —Marino J. Dasmarinas