Today's remarkable passage of "the summons" not only sent the disciples on a mission of preaching repentance, driving out demons, and curing the sick but has also inspired others through the centuries to do the same. St. Francis Xavier took this passage (Mk 6:7-13) seriously and became the apostle of India and Japan. God worked marvels through him and twenty years after his arrival in Japan, there were 200,000 Catholics. so much so that the Emperor felt threatened and began a severe persecution to stamp them out.
In 1597, Paul Miki, a Jesuit and his companions, were crucified and lanced with swords after a brutal 400 mile march through Japan as examples of what would happen to anyone who embraced this new religion.
The summons goes out still to each one of us. How can we bring the good news to others? How much are we willing to suffer in so doing? It may not mean phyical martyrdom, but verbal abuse, ridicule or rejection. St. Paul Miki and Companions, give us the courage you had to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel as you did.
Bro. Rene
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