In today’s Gospel, Jesus instructed His disciples to take nothing with them on their journey—no food, no extra clothing or money, but a walking stick. Jesus sent them out in pairs to preach, teach, and heal. Reflecting on this detail of being sent in pairs, I realized that greater effectiveness comes when disciples have companions in their ministry.

Before entering the seminary, I had many walking sticks in my life. Some of these were my luxuries. I considered them as my bad walking sticks because I could not live without them. But as time passed, it dawned on me that those bad walking sticks were not essential in life. As a priest-in-process, the invitation for me is to leave those luxuries behind and live in modesty and in simplicity. On the other hand, one of my good walking sticks is my family. They have always been there to support me as I heed the call and follow His will.

To follow Jesus is difficult. It means dying to myself and putting my trust in the Lord. For I know, He will provide everything I need in this journey. To leave everything behind means to give up on worldly pleasures. I have to give up my riches for God alone is all that matters.

The Gospel reminds me that as I go along the formation, I have to remove the bad walking sticks in my life and trust only in the providential love of Christ. I know the journey will be tough. There will be rough roads and obstacles, but only one thing is needed: I must hold on to Him with faith as my walking stick.

By: Sem. Nico Jay Z. del Mundo

Today’s Gospel

Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.