What Baggage are you carrying?

"Jesus ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; 
no bread, no bag, no money in their belts..." Mark 6:7

I remember in my first year of priesthood, my Pastor - Fr. Vid - was going to visit his mother, who lived in Australia.  He was going to be gone for 3 weeks - and I was going to be in charge!
I remember very little from that time - except his luggage for the trip! It was a small - old fashioned - carry-on sized bag.  Three weeks, halfway around the world - and that was it! I need more than that to go for 3 days away!

"New evangelization" still a Buzz Phrase. From John Paul II to Benedict XVI to Pope Francis. Each speak of the need for a New Evangelization! What might it consist of? What might be new about it?   What has to change? What was really the intent of Jesus
when He sent His disciples to continue Evangelizing?

In the Gospel today it is clear: Jesus is source, the inspiration
& the model for His followers' evangelizing action. They act by His authority. Not on their own behalf. They are "sent" by Jesus. 

The only way to have a "new evangelization" is to purify and strengthen our relationship with Jesus. There can be no new evangelization without new evangelists, and there will be no new evangelists if there isn't a more vivid, lucid & passionate contact with Jesus. Without this relationship with J, we will do everything 
but introduce His Spirit into the world.

On sending them, Jesus gives them His "authority", not power to control, rule, or dominate others, but His strength to "cast out unclean spirits" - freeing people from what enslaves, oppresses, 
and dehumanizes individuals and society.

Jesus sends them with what is necessary for the Journey: walking stick, sandals, one tunic. And I think of Fr. Vid's bag & My bags.
Jesus wanted the Apostles,  wants US to be free – without any attachments, trusting in the force of the Gospel. To be nimble in the New Evangelization!

May this encounter - in word and in sacrament - the result of our Praise of God be for each of us a more vivid, lucid & passionate contact with Christ!

Peace