Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 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. Mark 6:7–9
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If you felt called by God to go forth to another land to spread the Gospel message, you most likely would plan ahead and pack all that you needed for the journey. You would bring extra clothing, money, and various other provisions. But in the Gospel above, Jesus instructs the Twelve to go forth on a mission with nothing but a walking stick. He instructs them to rely upon divine providence for the physical necessities of daily living while on their journey. Though there was nothing wrong with planning ahead and taking care of their physical needs, Jesus’ instruction was given to teach the Twelve a more important spiritual lesson. In their mission of preaching the Gospel, curing the sick and casting out demons, they had to learn to rely upon the power of God and not on their natural abilities. Therefore, by learning to rely upon providence for things like food, clothing and shelter, they were more prepared to also rely upon divine providence in their apostolic mission.
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As you ponder this passage, try to imagine what might have gone through the minds of the Twelve as they traveled. Imagine them walking for many miles and arriving at a town as the sun began to set. Since they had no money or food, they would have been tempted to fear and worry. They could not rent a room for the night. They could not buy anything to eat. This was a test of their trust in God.
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Imagine further that these same Apostles suddenly encountered God’s providence. To their surprise, they were offered free lodging for the night and a meal. The next day, the same thing happened. As they trusted, journeyed, preached, healed and drove out demons, they found that they had what they needed every day and every night. This experience of God’s providence would certainly have affected their personal faith. But it also would have affected their ministry. As they witnessed God providing for their physical needs, they would also have grown in their trust in grace to more fruitfully fulfill their mission.
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Just as the Twelve had to learn to rely upon the providence of God in all things, so God wants the same for you. He might not call you to go forth on a mission without any physical provisions, but He does want you to learn to trust Him always. Perhaps that means donating more than a tithe of your money to the poor or to the mission of the Church as a way of showing you trust God with your money. Perhaps it means buying less for yourself and learning to live more simply. Or perhaps it means taking a step in faith by speaking to a friend about the Gospel, engaging in an apostolic ministry at Church, or stepping out in faith in some other way while you learn to put your trust in God. Trust in God means you overcome fear and worry as you journey through life and fulfill the mission God has given to you.
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Reflect, today, upon the fact that God wants you to learn to trust Him in all things and to especially trust that He will use you to share the Gospel with others. If you find this fearful, that is a good interior discovery. It means that you have found the fear holding you back. Whatever that may be, step forward in faith and conquer that fear. God will provide for you, giving you what you need to wonderfully fulfill His divine mission in your life.
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| My providential Lord, You always provide for us in every way. You know our every need and always meet those needs. Please help me to trust in You in every way and to learn to rely upon Your providential grace. Please use me as You will and work powerfully through me so that my life produces an abundance of good fruit for Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You. |
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