Traveling Light

The Gospel for today amused me when I read it the first time, especially when Jesus says, “Take nothing for the journey.” (Luke 9:1-6)   Whenever my family or I travel anywhere, if even for just a couple of days, it seems we take more than we need in the way of clothing, food, and ‘accessories’.  I’m not complaining; I was also taught from a very young age to ‘Be Prepared’ (Thanks, Boy Scouts!).  I’ve become spoiled though and would have a very tough time following Jesus’ direction to “take…neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”

Why is “traveling light” so important on the mission He is sending the Apostles on?  I have a theory on that.  Jesus is doing several things.

He is teaching trust

God is utterly reliable. When you are doing His work, what you need to see it through is miraculously provided. We see this time after time in the Bible and the stories of the saints.

He’s teaching us how to leave things behind

It’s hard to go on a trip without every one of those things around us that give us comfort and security. Our comfort and security are to be in the Lord alone. He is the source of all comfort.

Jesus is reminding us of our ultimate destination and final home

On that journey we will travel without walking stick, without a second tunic, without food, without anything we are accustomed to. We will be entering an unknown land through an unknown way.  If we have become used to traveling in this way, that final Journey will become so much easier.