In today’s gospel, Jesus gives His disciples the power to do what He has accomplished—heal the sick and drive out demons.
As He gives them power and authority to perform these actions, He also instructs them on how to conduct themselves with utmost humility and without concern for where and how they will meet their basic needs.
Perhaps not many of us would have the courage to do as Jesus has instructed them. We enjoy the comforts we have, and would consider it completely absurd to have no money when heading out on a trip.
What would really require courage and total faith from the disciples would be this new role of healing and having power over demons. They have seen Jesus do these things but now He is sending them out in pairs without Him.
Do you think it dawned on them that they might attempt to heal someone and be unsuccessful, or that no one would be willing to provide them with shelter or food? But the disciples did not display any form of reluctance or doubt. Rather, they embraced their new role as if it was the only thing that mattered.
The heaviest burden we tend to carry in any relationship, and even with God, is our desperate need to be effective, to look good and be successful. We go on a trip and you know much things we take with us with the largest carry-on bag in tow. What started as a few essentials wind up as a stack of “just-in-case essentials.”
We fear getting caught short, are fearful of not being adequate to the task. So because we always do it, it must be natural, healthy and provident. Besides we assure ourselves that it never hurts to be prepared for anything.
Take heart, listen and believe. Jesus tells us that we need not worry that we may not have what it takes to complete God’s plan for our life. He alone can provide us with what we need to overcome our failures and inadequacies. We simply need to trust that He is with us and that He will provide everything we need.
Let us call to our Heavenly Father to help us stay focused on the fact that He is always with us and we have always been part of His divine plan.
Thank you, Lord and take my heart, empower me with the courage to use my life however You wish and I will obey.