Word to the Wise
Thursday, February 3, 2011 - Thursday in the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
[Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24 and Mark 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.
When St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), one of the most important elements of his project was that the friars' lifestyle should have preached a homily before they even opened their mouths! The official Papal Legates who were attempting to counter the heretical teaching of the Albigensian movement traveled in high style with every convenience available. The heretics lived according to the lifestyle described in the Acts of the Apostles (2:42-47 and 4:32-35], which gave far more credibility to their preaching - simple lives more in keeping with the average peasant of the time! Dominic persuaded the official preachers to give up their approach and adopt a more effective form of personal witness that gave credibility to their preaching. The passage from the Gospel of Mark in today's liturgy reflects the same concern about lifestyle and appearance as preliminary forms of preaching! [Mt. 10:9-13 and Lk 9:1-13 - for parallel descriptions].
I think about this now as I am out in the Los Angeles, CA, area preparing to preach my first parish mission of 2011 at a parish in Orange City. I can't say that I am traveling without a sack (I have a suitcase and a computer bag!) or without "money in my belt!" I have sufficient clothing and reading to keep me occupied and equipped for the ministry that I am undertaking. My hope is that I'm at least within the spirit of the scriptural description. I bring this computer with me because my Beloved Congregation expects this reflection to be there on their screen every day. I do not carry food with me! [Sometimes pastors take me to a grocery store because they eat out all the time and don't cook!] The accommodations are whatever the parish offers - generally like a guestroom in most folks' houses. The ever changing circumstances of itinerant ministry are part of the "asceticism of the road" that must be embraced if one wants to do this kind of work! Between now and Easter Sunday, I will be preaching in Orange City, CA; Rosaryville, LA: Opelousas, LA; Memphis, TN; Cloutierville, LA; New Orleans, LA; Los Angeles, CA; Sierra Vista, AZ; Houston, TX; Gonzales, LA; and Dallas, TX! I sometimes wake up in the morning and wonder where I am! That's part of the "asceticism!" I don't have a "partner" but I do involve the local talent at the parish! (All of you who pray for me in my ministry are my "partners in preaching.")
I am certainly (and thankfully) not the only person who is doing this kind of ministry! Please pray for all of the itinerant preachers who go from place to place sharing and preaching the Good News! AMEN
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