It always strikes me how Jesus sent his disciples out on their journey to bring the Good News to the world with so few things. After having moved all of my belongings several times as a priest, I realize how many books I have - they are probably my most numerous and prized possession, and it is so hard to downsize and weed them out. We can have things that weigh us down in life, and that is what Jesus wanted to prevent as he sent his disciples out to be missionaries to the world. He wanted them to place their full dependence on God, not on material things. We can have so many preconceived ideas or notions as well that can hinder us in living out God’s Good News and in brining it to others.
Five times now, I have gone hiking on a pilgrimage in Spain on the Camino of Santiago de Compostela. The last three times I have gone my myself in the middle of winter. January of next year, I am planning to take a group on the Camino - I have a group of six lined up to go, and possible a few more will join us. You can imagine, carrying everything on your back, you have to be very selective in what you take. So I was thinking of the 5 most important things I take with me.
1. backpack
2. walking stick
3. wool socks
4. sleeping bag
5 guide book
I have never heard of a pilgrim regretting taking too little on a journey, but I have heard many say that they have taken too much. We don’t want to be unprepared, so we carry more than we need to.
As we get close to the holy season of Lent, if would be good for us to think about what we need to unpack and leave behind as we enter this stage of our journey. What are we relying on in our lives that does not leave us free to follow the Lord?
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