He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
M oses reminded the Hebrews as they finished their sojourn in the wilderness that, "...the sandals on your feet have not worn out." Perhaps Jesus referenced that ancient incident when he instructed his apostles to travel light. Their food will be provided as they carry the Good News from village to village, and their sandals will not wear out. So long as they're doing God's work they'll have no worries about their own physical needs.
Brother Hugo recalled the Zambian children who always wanted to ride in the bed of his truck as he drove the fifty miles into town. Astonished, I asked, "But how did they get back?"
"They walked." he said.
"Fifty miles? What did they eat?"
"Oh, there was food growing all along the way. Africa is like that."
The Franciscan protomartyrs walked from Assisi to Spain, and took a boat to Morocco; the Rule forbade them to carry a penny along the way. The story tellers don't even mention how they were provided for. We just know that God took care of them.
The first American Pentecostals carried the message from Azusa Street, Los Angeles across the country. They traveled by box car or "rode the rods" -- that is, the cables beneath the cars. They needed no suitcase.
I knew an Italian priest in Australia who went home to visit his family in 1981. He wore his habit throughout the journey, and he carried in his briefcase a breviary and a single change of underclothes. I had arrived with a trunk.
The Gospel urges Americans to simplify and accumulate less stuff. Not only can we not take it with us; we don't even carry most of it very far. It just piles up until our unfortunate heirs hire a dumpster and toss it all out.
Simple math and the theory of symptoms tell us that when we add something, we must subtract something. Otherwise, we're accumulating stuff.
Today's martyrs, Saint Paul Miki and his companions, remind us of what is important, and it's nothing we can own.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.