“Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them!”

“The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are.” – Mother Teresa

Gospel Text: (MT 10:7-15)
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.”

What was the message for Apostles as they heard these Gospel instructions about traveling and spreading the good news?

I suggest the message was something like this: whether you are called to be a missionary or to be an ordinary stay-at-home disciple, following our Risen Lord is always a special “journey.” Travel light! Don’t over burden yourself with things and stuff. Human life on planet Earth is very short! Remember that relationships—with God (Father, Son and Spirit), with other human beings and animals, and with the gifts of the earth—are what it is all about. Whatever we think of our freedom, we are thoroughly interdependent. And our primary dependence—for existence and life—is on God, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer.

Cultivate, live and act in that awareness and you will be profoundly free.

Travel light!