Before leaving for a trip, many of us put one more thing into the suitcase. Another shirt. Another pair of shoes. Another charger we probably will not need. We know the bag is already heavy, but there is always that small thought: What if?

Much of life is lived inside that question.

What if I run out? What if no one helps me? What if things fall apart and I am not ready? So we save, plan, prepare, rehearse conversations, imagine disasters, and sometimes carry far more than the day has asked of us.

The prayer in Proverbs is unusual: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need.” Most of us would probably be more comfortable asking God for a little extra. Enough for today sounds beautiful until tomorrow becomes uncertain.

Then Jesus sends the Twelve out with no walking stick, no sack, no food, no money, not even a second tunic. It almost sounds irresponsible. But maybe Jesus is teaching them something they could never learn while carrying everything they might possibly need: sometimes you discover providence only when you have left yourself enough room to receive.

There are things we carry that cannot protect us anyway. Money cannot prevent grief. Planning cannot guarantee love. Being careful cannot keep everyone we love beside us. Eventually life brings each of us to a place where our supplies run out.

And strangely, that is often where we discover that we were being held by more than our own preparations.

Jesus does not promise that the road will always provide what we want. He simply asks his disciples to walk it without treating fear as their luggage.

What am I carrying because I need it and what am I carrying because I am afraid there will not be enough?

#gospelechoes #midweekreflection #gospel #stpaulofthecrossretreatcenter