He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
-Mark 6:8-9
My youngest daughter left today for three weeks at camp, and although we thought she was packing pretty reasonably, her bag was almost 14 pounds over the weight limit. She had spent several days reviewing the suggested packing list and carefully contemplating the contents of her suitcase. Even so, she still could not meet the airline’s stringent requirements for the one free checked bag. This packing experience reminded me of the gospel lesson appointed for this coming Sunday and Jesus’ instructions to his disciples as he sent them out.
I don’t think very many of us could or would want to adhere to Jesus’ packing list. I certainly would have a hard time with it, and I am one who prides herself on packing light, preferably using only a carry-on bag. But head out on a journey of undetermined length, to who knows where, with nothing but a staff and a pair of sandals? Not even an extra tunic? No money? That sounds a little too radical even for this low-consumer-lifestyle advocate.
Upon more thought, however, it struck me that there is good reason for what Jesus tells his disciples to do. By sending them out without resources, he is putting them into a situation where they will have to acknowledge their dependence upon others — upon the kindness of strangers and random chance.
Relying upon the kindness and goodness of our fellow human beings is not something we do too well in our culture. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide for ourselves and those we love. We like to pay our way, to have our stuff, and to carry as much baggage (both literal and metaphorical) as we please. We have the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” imprinted deeply within our beings. In doing so, we have sacrificed a lot without realizing it.
In other cultures, the idea of extending hospitality to strangers is still an integral part of the social fabric. A wayfarer through the town or village will find a meal, a place to lay his head, and a hearty welcome instead of five gallons of gas and the unsaid expectation that he please keep moving on. We fear the stranger. We loathe being inconvenienced or having our busy life schedules altered.
By sending the disciples into the world in pairs without resources and means, Jesus teaches us a lesson about sharing responsibility and mutuality. By learning to accept help as well as give it, the playing field is leveled. We learn how to be gracious givers and glad receivers. We learn that all people have something of value to bring to the table. Most importantly, we learn that to share the good news does not require a matched set of monogrammed luggage, a credit card, and a go-it-alone attitude.
As stewards of the good news, we are called to live in community and to trust God for all good gifts. Think about this the next time you’re packing for vacation, and be sure to remember to pack the good news and share it liberally. It weighs nothing and won’t put you over the 50 pound bag limit. It is, however, strong enough to save the world.
Copyright (c)
2009, The Rev. Sharron Riessinger Lucas, all rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Rev. Sharron Riessinger Lucas is a parish pastor serving the Sheyenne-Oberon Area Ministry, a four-point cooperative ministry in the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the ELCA. She came to ordained ministry after teaching secondary and college English, working in non-profit management and public relations, and moonlighting as a freelance writer. She is the mother of two wonderful daughters.
