The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
The start of today’s gospel always makes me chuckle, “He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick - no food, no sack, no money in their belts'' (Mark 6:8). As a chronic overpacker, my family sometimes jokes that I’m setting up camp wherever I go. Of the many challenging teachings of Jesus, this just might be the hardest one for me.
This is one of the many moments in the gospel that seems to fly in the face of practicality and reason. When going on a trip, it makes sense to pack the things you need. Even more, it’s using your God-given ability to plan and prepare responsibly.
I can’t help but wonder how the apostles felt after hearing Jesus’ instructions that day. Especially thousands of years ago in Israel without so many of our modern day conveniences – no venmo in case you were out of luck, no facetime to check in with family back home. And yet, the call to something deeper is not only obvious but even alluring. Jesus calls them specifically into blind trust in his plans and his will for them. He has invited them personally into his salvific mission. To share in his work and heal the sick and cast out demons. How incredible.
And friends, this call extends to us too. Just as the apostles thousands of years ago, we are continually invited into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to rely on him, and to do his work here on earth – with blind faith and trust.
It’s hard. It’s hard to not automatically create our own backup plans if things don’t go our way. To snatch the reins back so that we can be in control. And yet, a trusting heart is supple and receptive to a change in man-made plans, realizing that we were never in complete control to start with. It means maintaining a sense of interior peace as the storm rages around you – certain of the Lord and steadfast in his love. It means confidence and a habitual disposition of the heart back to the Lord and his plans for us - even as the world continually encourages individualism and self-reliance. It’s a life of true integration, rather than compartmentalizing God by only allowing him into certain parts of our lives and reserving other places as strictly under our own domain. Rather, today’s gospel reminds us of complete abandonment and surrender to his will, even when it is not comfortable or convenient. Through this process we intimately encounter the Lord’s deep love for us and are drawn deeper into communion with him. It is good, sanctifying, and holy.
Father, grant me a heart that seeks and trusts you above all else. Amen.
Christie Peters is co-founder of Every Sacred Sunday as well as an artist and educator. Her favorite things include her pup named Peaches, Ignatian spirituality, aerial dance, and a good soup. Come say hi on Instagram!