What interests me, regarding the Gospel for this week, is not what Jesus tells the disciples not to take with them rather what it is they should take. They are to take a companion, a staff, to wear sandals and to wear a single tunic. To put it another way they are not to be alone, defenseless, barefoot and naked as well as not encumbered by food, luggage and money. The Holy Spirit has prepared the way for them and they are to rely on divine Providence. Yet, they are to be sensibly prepared for the journey ahead with the standard protection against the elements. This reminds me of the instructions of John the Baptist to those who came to be baptized in Luke 3: 10-14. Even though the Baptizer lived an austere, desert existence he is eminently reasonable and sensible in his advice to live a good life. Not all Christians are called to martyrdom or to live lives of austerity and radical self-denial yet all are called to follow the Lord and take the Good News out to the world. This they are to do, like the disciples, in a sensible and suitable fashion while using their resources wisely. The important thing is that they do in fact make a start trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide them and provide for their needs: "You received without payment; give without payment." (Mtt 10: 8)
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