As I was driving around the last couple of days, I kept seeing cars and pick-up trucks and SUVs filled to capacity, many even blocking rearview visibility. Obviously a lot of people are going on vacation these days. And they seem to have brought half their household with them! It seems when we go on vacation and travel we have to prepare for every eventuality and so we all tend to over pack and take too much baggage with us. How often have I returned from a vacation and said “Why did I bring so much stuff with me?”
    Obviously as we hear in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus had a different kind of checklist of what his disciples needed as they headed out on their first missionary journey. They needed to carry with them not a lot of stuff, but rather the good news of God’s peace, forgiveness, and salvation. Jesus instructed them not to bring money, or a bag, or even sandals. He encouraged them to depend upon their hosts to care for them and to provide for them. He encouraged them to trust that God would take care of them.
    When the apostles returned they were overjoyed how God had worked through them and accomplished such wonderful things. 
    Jesus sends us forth as well, to carry the good news of God’s peace, forgiveness, and mercy to the world. As with the apostles, He encourages us to go, not with a lot of stuff or baggage, but as we are with our own unique gifts and faith life. He also says in that gospel that the kingdom of God is at hand. God is already present in our lives and invites us to turn to him. We may not always see the results of our own missionary efforts. But God reassures us that He is lays working through us to spread His good news to those in need.
    May we go forth today renewed and refreshed in God’s love and ready to carry that message to all those we meet.