The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I think it’s part of our DNA to want to control each aspect of our lives; to mitigate and soften those meandering twists and turns that are an inevitable part of this world. I’m as guilty of that as anyone. I’m a planner. I hate surprises, and when they rear their ugly heads, I want to have a plan to deal with them.
If I go for a short hike, I cover every possible scenario despite how remote its probability. I’ll carry food, an energy bar, compass, and even one of those ridiculous emergency blankets that resembles a piece of aluminum foil. It’s my feeble attempt to be in control of my life, and we all want to believe we are in control.
So, imagine the reaction of the Apostles when Jesus summoned them and told them they were about to embark on an adventure. One fraught with unknown obstacles and danger. They would go forth in pairs proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6) And they could take nothing with them on this journey. No food or money, spare clothing, or any of the basic creature comforts needed for such an endeavor.
These men had witnessed firsthand the miraculous powers of their Master as He healed the sick, cast out demons, and brought the dead back to life. But this was an entirely different ballgame. Their Lord was kicking away their training wheels and asking them to have ‘faith’ that they would be given the power to accomplish this.
I can imagine their frightened looks as they nervously glanced around them. You could hear the hushed whispers of fear and uncertainty, and finally a palpable silence that settled in around them. What would they eat and where would they stay? They were simple men: fishermen, a tax collector, and others. How could they possibly accomplish such a daunting task.
Perhaps it was in this precise moment in Luke that the Apostles first understood what Jesus intended for them. The power to evangelize and heal would be given to His disciples on that day and on the days following Jesus’ resurrection. All they needed was faith in their Master.
One of my favorite verses from the Old Testament is found in Proverbs, which I have repeated many times in my life when faced with uncertainty.
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding.’ (Proverbs 3:5)
Perhaps it was these words that resonated within the hearts of the 12 as they ventured off to the unknown armed with only trust and faith. As we face the challenges in our lives, may we also trust in the Lord will all our hearts, and do not lean on our own understanding.
Bob Blundell is a former mid-level manager who spent his career in the oil industry. Since retiring in 2013, he has rekindled his passion for writing, publishing over 100 essays and articles in Christian magazines and journals. A 2021 winner of the Christian Writers Award, his first book, “Crossroads – A Journey from Communist China to Christ” was released in February 2024. Bob and his wife Dee live in the Houston area.