Take Nothing for the Journey

~~~ Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr ~~~ 

~~~ Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 ~~~ Psalm 48 ~~~ Mark 6:7-13 ~~~

...take nothing for the journey... 

Jesus sent out the disciples to spread 

the good news...to heal and teach.

He did not want them to be concerned with their stuff.

He wanted them to rely completely

 on what he knew was in their hearts.

He wanted them to believe in themselves 

because he believed in them.

Do you believe in yourself?

Do others believe more in you than you believe in yourself?

These few words resonate with me right now

 for a very different reason.

Being at the bedside of my dying father in law,

 you came to know what it means on a different 

level to take nothing for the journey.

When you are dying you soon come to accept 

that you make the journey alone;

 there is nothing material you can take with you.

Jesus wanted the disciples to cling to what they had learned from him.

Their material belongs would be distractions...burdens.

When you are dying it is the love, care and compassion

 that you feel in your heart that matters...nothing else.

Actually it is a beautiful thing to take nothing for the journey.

To trust that whatever you need God will provide.

There is a certain amount of freedom 

if you can leave everything behind.

Jesus also told the disciples 

...shake the dust off your feet...

This is also true when you are dying...

whatever issues you may have had

 with others you must lay to rest.

When you are dying 

the Kingdom of God is at hand for you.

Blessings come to us in all situations;

even in keeping vigil beside the dying loved one's bed.

~~~Peace~~~