Gospel of 23 September 2020
Wednesday of Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 9:1-6
'Take nothing for the journey'
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
Reflexion
Our Lord equips the Twelve to share in His ministry by giving them the power and authority to perform miracles and exorcisms. The significance of their being called “apostles” becomes clear, as they are sent (verb: apostello) by our Lord.
Our Lord gives them specific directions - a kind of SOP to follow. They are to “take nothing for the journey.” Seems like a harsh demand. But those sent on mission have to travel light and not be weighed down by excess baggage. This is not just practical advice for those who need to be constantly on the road moving from one town to another, but has a deeper theological meaning to it.
Through radical simplicity, our Lord is teaching them and us to rely more on God than on our own resources. The apostles will have to step out in faith, trusting that they will receive what they need. Accepting hospitality whenever and wherever it is offered, is also a way of avoiding pandering to the wealthy, who could give us more comfortable accommodations. Ultimately, it is trusting that God Himself will offer us hospitality.
But should they meet with rejection, the action of shaking dust off their feet as they leave town is a parable in action. Jews would shake off the dust from their shoes after passing through Gentile territory. Similarly, the apostles should treat these townspeople like the unbelievers. But the action also points to God’s judgment. It is a sign to the townsfolk of God’s coming judgment unless such people repent, they too will share in the lot of the unbelievers.
And so the apostles and all the disciples of the Lord are called to proclaim the good news, not only in word but also in deed, not only through spectacular miracles but through living out the evangelical counsel of poverty. Evangelical poverty proclaims this truth - By taking nothing for the journey, our message is clear - we only need Jesus, He is our prized possession and He will always be sufficient for us. In Him, with Him, through Him, we lack nothing.