Reflecting on this week’s Gospel readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 6:7-13 and Mark 6:14-29, it’s important to realize the significance of these two seemingly stark contrasted stories. What is the Word of God trying to tell us here? In the first story, Jesus sends out the disciples “two by two” to spread the Gospel news, just as they are, with nothing for the journey except their faith. It certainly sounds reminiscent of the animals boarding Noah’s Ark “two by two” with nothing sustaining Noah and his family for their journey except their faith in God alone. The second story then seems so out of place with King Herod’s beheading of John the Baptist; however, a more discerning eye might say that this foreshadows the death of Jesus at the hand of another doubting ruler. Mark uses this approach to set the stage to stir our hearts…the disciples have work to do because ultimately what’s to come is so tragic. We must understand that in the wake of Christ’s death we have a duty to share the Gospel news. It is our steadfast faith in God and Jesus Christ that will indeed sustain us for any journey ahead. It is when we #livemysunday that we continue this great work.