Take only what you need

At the time of Jesus no kind of social media existed, not even newspapers. The only way to communicate was by word of mouth. Jesus was anxious to announce the good news to as many people as possible, but he was only one voice, so to spread his message he sent out the Twelve to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God. He gave them practical advice. Take as little as possible. The person who travels with little baggage can go further and faster. We may have experienced that in our own lives when on a journey. I remember when I was travelling to my appointment in Brasil. I had two big suitcases with me and had to spend the whole night at Sao Paulo airport. It was difficult to look after my bags and go to get something to eat and impossible to take them to the toilet! The last time I travelled I took all I needed in a small backpack.

 

Jesus is teaching us a lesson for life. We can fall into the trap of consumerism and clutter up our lives with so many goods many of which we hardly ever use. I love to have a lot of books but when I look at all the ones in the bookcase I have to ask myself if I will ever have the time to read them all. The gospel from Luke 9: 1-6 teaches us that if we can free ourselves from attachment to material goods we will be free to depend more on God and devote ourselves to spending time with those in need. That could be our way of spreading the good news. Give me the courage, Lord, to sort out the clothes in the wardrobe and take them to St Vincent de Paul.