Homily

What do you consider to be the necessities? Seriously? In once sense, we can discern what the necessities are by simply reaching into our pockets or purses and looking to see what we are taking with us. Let me see what I have with me.

(Proceed to pull out various items in my pockets in order to illustrate what we consider necessities. For the purpose of exaggeration, pre-load my pockets with all kinds of items: money, palm pilot, lucky rabbit’s foot, remote control, batteries, candy bar, wallet, car keys, sunglasses, flashlight, pen, rope, iPod, catechism, Macworld Magazine, rosary, etc.).

When Jesus sent out his apostles into the missionary field, he instructed them to take only that which was necessary. Also, they were to humble themselves and accept the hospitality of the people. They were not to take advantage of them or work to become wealthy.

So, what do you consider to be necessary in your life? From the examination of your pockets or purses, are you truly carrying only that which you need? Or did you bring other things in case of a contingency like I did? Did you find anything in your pockets that will help you in your spiritual life? Could the stuff in our pockets reveal that God is important to us? Have we planned to take Jesus with us wherever we go? Do we proclaim the Gospel by what carry with us?

Now of course, this little exercise is just meant to get us thinking. But the reality is that we have all been chosen by God to be his witnesses. More than stuff in our pockets, how do we carry Christ with us in our daily life? What do our words say that carry his message? How do our behaviors speak of his love? Today, let us ponder for a moment about those things that are in us that help spread God’s good news and ask him to be more focused on those things that are most necessary in our lives.