A Shared Mission

Homily: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

11 July 2021

Mark 6:7-13 

Fr. Ricky C. Montanez, AA

It has been a month since I moved here to San Roque and my experience has been fulfilling thus far. I strongly believe God has been affirming my new mission as evidenced by the outpouring of His grace since I arrived.  Just a week after my arrival we have managed to improve the live-streaming of our masses with the help of parishioners of Christ the King who donated most of our new equipment. With so many generous people helping San Roque Parish plus the cooperation of our own parishioners, ramdam na ramdam ko na hindi ako nag-iisa sa misyong ito. I am more inspired to continue giving my best and my all for the mission.

The work of God is never a solitary affair.  This is very apparent from the first line of this Sunday’s gospel passage from Mark. “Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.” (Mark 6:7) They are not sent alone but in pairs (“two by two”). They have the gift of one another to support and sustain each other in the given task of proclaiming the Good News. My recent experiences leading up to my becoming administrator of this parish is a testament to this. In more ways than one, so many people have joined me to enrich the faith and worship experiences of San Roque Parish. This is a shared mission. 

Hindi ba karamihan sa atin kailangan ng katuwang, ng kasama lalo na kung meron malaking hamon na kinakaharap? Siyempre mas okay kung meron kang ka-holding hands, kabalikat, kabatak sa gitna ng misyon. Huhugot kayo ng lakas sa isa’t isa. Aalalayan niyo ang isa’t isa.

Many times a mission can be overwhelming especially when we feel we are not trained for it or equipped with the necessary skills for it. To this fear of not measuring up, St. Paul counters saying God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and has provided us with all “wisdom and insight” into the mystery of His will. (Ephesians 1:8) We all have been gifted tremendously with the potential for success. We simply need to trust that God is with us and that He will supply everything we need. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst…” (Matthew 18:20) 

As with Amos, God blesses us with all that is needed to fulfill His will for us and to be of service to others. So we need not worry that we may not have what it takes to complete God’s purpose. Jesus assures us that He will provide all that is needed to overcome our inadequacies and failings. I am personally consoled when I am reminded that the disciples, themselves, were ordinary men bestowed with the wisdom to grasp the truth of the Gospel.  They shared the Good News with accompanying signs and wonders that they clearly could not have mustered only with their own capabilities. God provides! 

As the apostles were warned, working for the Lord will entail many difficulties. They will be shunned and rejected at times. I know that when I accepted my mission in San Roque, I will surely experience my share of rejection but I am undaunted. As the French say: C’est la vie. That’s life! More importantly, God has been very good at assuring me that He is with me in my new mission. Just after Bishop Ness talked to me about the assignment in San Roque some time in May, I was asked by one of the Christ the King parish staff if I could do a blessing of a statue. Guess whose statue it was I had to bless? San Roque! Then in early June, when I took a few days to rest before assuming my post here, I was surprised to discover that the parish church across from where I stayed was under the patronage of San Roque!  The support I have been receiving from many friends, here and abroad, even before I reported for this assignment, has truly been overwhelming. As I read today’s gospel, I am reminded to be grateful for the friendship, companionship, and the material and prayerful support showered upon me in my ministry throughout this time. 

Kung ano mang agam-agam ang naramdaman ko nang ibigay sa akin ang assignment na ito, yan ay kaagad napawi dahil sa naramdaman ko ang suporta ng marami na alam kong sinugo ng Dios. Kayo ang naging instrumento ng Diyos para tumatag ang loob ko at lubos akong magtiwala. Araw araw, ramdam na ramdam ko na kasama ko kayo sa misyon na ito. We are in this together. And I am never alone. 

All of you present here and those listening to the livestream, even those who will watch the recording later — all of you also have a share in Jesus’ mission. By virtue of your baptism, you are all continuously sent in the unique circumstances of your existence —whether wealthy or struggling, homemaker or working professional, employee or entrepreneur,  a doctor, a teacher, an artist, student, etc. — to evangelise to people you encounter, to invite them to know Jesus, to love Him, and to follow Him. Di ba nga ang tema ng ating selebrasyon ng 500 Years of Christianity ay Gifted to Give? Yan ay pagkilala na lahat tayo ay merong pwedeng i-ambag sa misyon. Lahat tayo ay may biyayang pwedeng i-share. At lahat tayo ay bibigyan ng angkop na biyaya para sa ating pangangailangan. Dapat lang tayong magtiwala na hindi tayo kailan man pababayaan ng Diyos. Just as God has blessed me for my work here, you can be assured that you will also be equipped with everything and everyone you need for a fruitful mission! You will never be alone. Count on Jesus’ word and rely on His promises.