Communication and Trust

If my 48 years in management taught me anything, it was that every goal was successfully accomplished only if a plan was formulated. Then tasks were delegated, communicated, executed and followed up.  At every company I worked for, they all had catchy anagrams for this process.  Some had several.  At U-Haul, they had 3 that I was particularly fond of and used a lot; IFDOAS (Intelligently Follow the Directions of a Superior), DOAB (Do Our Absolute Best), and my “go to” method for getting things done was RAA (Responsibility, Authority, Accountability).  For any of these to work, you need to identify those who will be the most effective, arm them with the knowledge and tools they will need, then check back with them frequently to gauge their progress and supplement their authority, if needed.  It usually helps to be with them there in spirit, if not in person to give them the confidence that they are on the right track.  They have to know that you will back them up, even if they make a mistake, which they will! 

I see this process being used by Jesus in today’s gospel (Mark 6:7-13).

Responsibility

The first thing that is worth pointing out in this passage is that Jesus “summoned” the Twelve.  This means He brought them to Himself.  Sure, we can read this as simply meaning that He, in a sense, called a meeting with them to discuss His plan.  But we should look deeper.  We should see in this summoning the fact that Jesus was not only calling a meeting, but rather, He was drawing them to His very person.  In this act of summoning, the Apostles were personally encountering Jesus, receiving His grace and power, and being changed themselves. He also summons each of us, daily, to Himself.

Authority

So what is the authority that Jesus gave the Apostles then, and gives to us, now?  It’s often not appreciated for what it is.  Jesus very much does want to give us authority over the evil one and his minions since they are far more powerful than us.  So, if we are to have a chance in the battle, we need Jesus’ authority.  This is not only some supernatural power to cast out demons; rather, it’s much more extensive.  How do we exercise this authority given to us by Jesus Christ through our baptism?

Through the power of true Christian charity.  Charity, or love, overwhelms the evil one and renders him powerless in our lives.  Selflessness, sacrifice, humility, faith, truth, and honesty are among the most powerful weapons in our battle.  The evil one does not know what to do with these.  We do not necessarily have to engage in some sort of dramatic spiritual warfare to do battle.  Simply love God and live that love in your daily life and you will, in a sense, be casting out demons left and right!  We will have the victory in our Christian living because God will take care of all the rest.  It’s His mission and He is the one summoning and sending us.  Do not be afraid to follow His lead! He gives us the authority and power we need to fulfill His will.  If we are open to this process our Lord will use us abundantly.

Accountability

From there He sent them out two by two.  This is also significant.  Jesus knows our human weakness.  He knows that by ourselves we will most likely fail, but with the Christian support of another we are greatly strengthened.  This is because Jesus’ mission is not only something we do ourselves, it’s something that is communal as well.  We are each one piece in His mission. However, to fulfill that mission, we need the love and support of others.  We need to go two by two into the battle. He sends us forth to bring His love to others.

Sadly, in today’s world, it seems the two things headed for extinction are communicating with strangers and trusting in their innate goodness. Our culture is becoming polarized and all too often focused on talking only to people with whom we share a small view of the world and distrusting everyone else’s view or comment. Maybe if we were willing to embark on a pilgrimage such as the 12 Apostles did in today’s gospel, without out all the “baggage” we carry with us of preconceived notions, we might be able to communicate more openly with others and realize that we need their trust and understanding as much as they need ours.