“Repent!”

“Repent!”(Mk.6:7-13).
“Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”
The uncontrolled amassment of wealth by messengers of the gospel raises justifiable doubt among believers. The quest for material things and the aggressive manner in which we the clergy go after its acquisition seemingly contradicts the life of the Master. It also contradicts Jesus’ instruction to the Twelve when he said they should travel light.
We may argue that Jesus only asked them to travel light. He didn’t say they should not make wealth. But when we take his life example, then we should seek for “just enough,” and not for excess!
However, let us concentrate on the core message of their mission as per the text: “They went out and preached that people should repent.”
This sermon on repentance is never stale. The message of repentance is relevant today as it was then because human beings have a tendency to abuse freewill.
We may drive out demons and anoint many sick people and heal them, but that offers only temporary reprieve. The core of mission is to preach repentance so that souls of men should not scatter like a herd of confused sheep.
During Lent, we remind ourselves that there is just one man through whom salvation is received through repentance, belief, and obedience!
Turn away from the world and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who give a cold shoulder to the messenger have themselves to blame.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire us to live in simplicity as we spread the message of repentance. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
25/03/2025.