Mk 6:7-13
Missionaries: The mission of the Twelve, who are synonymous with the apostles in Mark’s Gospel, is not a snippet of history from the days of Jesus, but, rather, it is a short account of what is going on at the time this Gospel is being written. It also functions as a justification for the missionary activity of the Church down through history.
The Twelve are sent in pairs. What is at stake is credibility, since in Judaism there is a need for two witnesses to attest to the truth of a deed done.
The authority of the missioners comes from Jesus himself. For those who question the missionary activity of the early Church, this passing on of teaching authority from master to students legitimates the spreading of the good news.
In Mark’s community the way the mission is accomplished is also important. So, he details the way the missionary travels and dresses. Such distinctions make the missioner easily recognizable to others. Because they are able to bear authentic witness, because they share in Jesus’ authority, and because they are easily recognized as missioners, the Twelve (and all missionaries) are able to do the things that Mark’s Jesus does—drive out demons, anoint the sick with oil and cure them.
And repentance or conversion that requires radical change, the re-orientation of one’s life according to the pattern of Jesus—suffering, death, and resurrection—is the most important message of the missionary.