1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 / Mark 6:7-13
When it comes to human relationships, it is only natural that we like those who like us, and we talk with those who will talk with us.
It does not make much sense to try to like those who don’t like us, nor would we want to try to keep talking with those who don’t want to talk with us.
So, generally speaking, in our human relationships, there are people that we like and we talk with them.
And then there are people that we don’t like, and we will try to avoid them, and it is quite unlikely that we will ever talk with them.
When Jesus sent out His disciples to proclaim the Good News, He told them to take almost nothing for the mission.
And it also may mean that they will have to go to places and to peoples that they may not really like and they would rather avoid if possible.
But in the spirit of the mission, they would still go to these peoples and proclaim the Good News to them.
But Jesus also told His disciples this: If any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.
As for us, if people don’t welcome us because we are Christians, and also refuse to talk with us, then we have to move on with our lives.
May we not let the hostile attitudes of others create a resentment and hostility towards them.
Rather let us walk away with charity. Let that be a sign for them.