Later this summer I will be leave on a trip to visit family in California. Actually, over the years, I have traveled quite a lot. I enjoy traveling as, I’m sure, do many of you. Summer is the season of travel; many of us set off on trips during these months when schools are on recess.
But unlike many of you, I’m sure, I am an inveterate heavy packer. I am famous for taking along w-a-y more books than I will ever have time to read and w-a-y more pairs of shoes than I will ever wear, not to mention my favorite pillow and jackets and hats and even gloves – just in case.
So I think Jesus would have shaken his head with disappointment if he had seen all of my luggage. His disciples were about to be sent out with a formidable assignment to cast out unclean spirits, to heal, and to proclaim the kingdom of God (Luke 9:2).
I know I have it easier than did those first disciples. My trips, even if I am going to a conference or to lead a retreat, are always among hospitable folk and to places with comfortable accommodations and I have never thought I might go hungry. Jesus told his disciples to eat whatever was put before them and, as we noticed in today’s gospel lesson from Mark, they are to take very little for their journeys, only a staff and the sandals on their feet and the one tunic they have on.
Of course, the disciples were literally walking – no donkey cart on which to load their luggage, no porters to follow along behind as they stepped lightly along, not even a lightweight, well-designed backpack from L.L. Bean like I have. After all, these were poor people, both the followers of Jesus as well as the residents the small, rural villages to which they travelled.
It would be easy to read Jesus’ instructions about traveling light as a condemnation of materialism, about our tendency to weigh ourselves down so that we can scarcely move.
Jesus would be right at home with the current rigid standards for air travel. Wise Jesus knew what those first disciples – and we latter ones – really need for discipleship in the world. Then – and now – there are a few essentials and they don’t require a second suitcase.
Jesus saw clearly that the twelve could be dragged down on their walk if they were lugging a lot of stuff. They could forget what they were supposed to be doing if they kept checking on their belongings, worrying that their money was running out, or wondering if they had left behind their favorite water bottle when they stopped to rest under that big tree a few miles back.
But Jesus is demanding more than just freedom from stuff, both tangible and intangible. He is demanding complete trust in himself. No crossed fingers behind your back, no little escape clauses in fine print at the bottom of the contract, no grace period to think over the commitment you’re making, no negotiations. Let it all go and start walking. Total trust is what the Christian journey is all about. And what is even harder to accept, following Christ demands total dependence on him.
Beyond luggage limits, Jesus has a few more rules for the road. He tells his followers, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” Jesus wants to be sure that his friends know that they are on a mission, not a casual hike, that this journey is a single-minded, purposeful trip. He says don’t let yourself get distracted.
And, don’t stay where you’re not wanted. If you are not welcomed, go on to the next opportunity. Mark’s gospel tells us those disciples proclaimed that all should repent. In Luke’s version of this story the disciples bring the good news. Both versions tell us those disciples cured the sick.
I wish I were more like those first disciples of Jesus. I am trying to simplify my life, but I know I am still a work in progress. Harder still is letting go of the invisible, intangible impediments to discipleship like envy, arrogance, neediness, and fear. Some of them are troubling, some of them feed my ego, some are just there because I’ve hung on to them for a long, long time and I suppose they bring a certain amount of comfort. If you drag them with you long enough, you forget how heavy they are.
I comfort myself with remembering that those first disciples struggled to follow Jesus just as I do. They, too, failed and had to begin again, and again, and again.
Let’s remember one additional thing about this story. Although Mark strips down the story and his words are far, far fewer than Matthew’s and even somewhat fewer than Luke’s, Mark does add an important detail the others leave out. Mark tells us Jesus sent out his disciples two by two. Two by two – you and I are not alone as we set out to proclaim the good news and be followers of Jesus. We go two by two. We accompany each other. As a dear friend of mine said to me last week, “don’t do the hard stuff alone.” “Don’t do the hard stuff alone.” Right. By the authority of your baptism you are commissioned for your journey as a disciple. You have been given power and authority over demons and to proclaim the good news and to heal.” We go with God – and each other – but I believe I will leave that second suitcase at home. I really don’t need it.