The Transfer of the Holy Relics of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tyro
Romans 7:14-8:2; Matthew 10:9-15
Apostles’ Fast
Read Matthew 10:9-15
It can be difficult for us to think of going on a journey and not packing supplies. I know a few people who seem to need a separate suitcase just for all the shoes they want to bring on a week-long vacation! In today’s Gospel passage, it might seem like Christ is instructing His apostles to go out unprepared. However, we know from elsewhere in Scripture that we are constantly exhorted to be prepared, vigilant, and prudent in all aspects of our lives.
When Christ sends out His apostles in today’s passage, He should be understood as instructing them to rely completely on God. Elsewhere in the gospels Jesus even asks His disciples, “‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘No, not a thing’” (Lk. 22:35). They learned that they lacked nothing, that God will provide for their needs, and to accept the charity of others. Since they successfully learned these important lessons, Jesus tells them that now going forward, they would need to take a purse, a bag, and a sword with them (see Lk. 22:36ff).
This call to entirely rely on God reminds me a lot of our call to be like children (see Mt. 18:3). Children are loving, trusting, and completely dependent on others to provide for their needs. Although we might not be travelling to different cities to evangelize as the apostles did, it is still important for us to remember our dependence on God. Sometimes we may come in contact with people who will not welcome us or receive our Christian message. This may be in person or nowadays even on the internet! We should not get prideful and caught up with trying to immediately persuade others. Sometimes people’s hearts are not ready to accept Christ’s message. Only the Holy Spirit can move their hearts to welcome Him. We need to pray for each other and keep moving forward as we witness our faith to others and do our Father’s will.