Gospel
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words–
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town.”
The disciples were charged with spreading the kingdom of Heaven. They were to take nothing they would need for a journey. Jesus told them it would be provided. Just focus on the mission.
They were to take nothing for the trip. No money, no staff or extra clothing. Not even a sack to put what they would need. They were to leave like they were headed out for a trip to the market and would be right back.
How different our preparations are for trips. The question is not how much to take but how many suitcases or bags to bring all the stuff. And even how many suitcases depends on how much stuff we bring and we usually bring extra…just in case. How many times do we get home after a trip and see all the clothing and items we never needed. What a different philosophy of travel!
But they were doing the will of the Father as given to them by Jesus. This trip was not a vacation or focused on leisure but a mission. A mission that Jesus said all they needed would be provided. It would be a test of how well they executed their ministry but also of how much they trusted Jesus.
For once they were miles or days away there would not be any safety net but the safety net of faith and believing Jesus would provide all.
We know they were for the most part not educated men …some less than others. And they did not have the words always or know how to heal of preach or drive out demons. They had watched Jesus do it. And now were asked to have the confidence in Jesus Christ that he would provide all they needed, even words.
How often do we have the opportunity to tell others about our faith but stop because we fear we don’t know enough or have all the right words.
Jesus told the disciple to not worry. He tells us too. Don’t worry about that. I will give you all you need. Even the right words. We have only to trust and have faith and step forward on our own journeys to reach others. Even if it is just to the grocery store or down the street. He still sends us, his disciples to tell others the good news and heal hearts with Jesus to show us the way.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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