After a time crisscrossing the lake, Jesus decides to visit his hometown of Nazareth. Word was widespread of his teaching and healing. It is likely that many in town were quite proud to know that the the young carpenter had taken up a new set of tools, tools necessary to craft mankind. Still there were others, who could only question or take offense at his new vocation, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? But, what mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter…?” In short, “Who does he think he is? He was not trained as a rabbi, nor does he have any credentials.” Jesus recognizes that going home is quite difficult. Preconceived notions can impede people from hearing and seeing truth.

Jesus left and taught in the villages surrounding Nazareth, then he turned to the disciples. It was time for them practice what he had been preparing them to do in his absence. Jesus gave them the power to heal and to share the good news of the kingdom of G_d. Jesus takes away any worldly obstacle to their mission, “He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; …wear sandals” and only one tunic. Jesus tells them to accept hospitality, yet reject any naysayers, even to rejecting the dust which may have gathered on the disciple’s feet in getting to those, who will not hear, receive, and believe.

In pairs the disciples healed and taught repentance. Jesus had reasons for sending his disciples out into the world with only one tunic. The disciples were sent out to rely on the good graces of other people. They had to ask for something to wear while they did their laundry. Their poverty and dependence were real. Their hosts got the opportunity to practice hospitality, and all experienced the give and take of human relationships. When we have less, we have to depend on one another to fill in the gaps. If we can lean on one another for the little things, then we develop relationships that help us through the larger trials and challenges.

The disciples built relationships out of their poverty of possession and through their abundance of grace. Always wearing the same few things, something other than the clothes they wore began to define them. In the case of the disciples, it was the Good News that they wanted people to absorb, not a nice new suit or a stylish office with a comfy new sofa. The Good News was given to them to preach to those who would hear, despite seeing the teller’s personal inadequacies. This defined the Twelve.

The Messiah’s charge assured that the disciples weren’t preoccupied with taking care of their stuff, and that allowed them time to build relationships with their hosts, their hearers. One tunic was a constant reminder to the disciples of their genuine resources and possessions, the Mission and the Message. With only one tunic, they became vulnerable not only to the graces of their hosts, but to the power of G_d at work in their lives.

Reflecting on Jesus’ directive to the disciples and imagining why going with only one tunic was good for them, I believe that the directive offers good advice for all our relationships: with others, with self, with Creation, and with the Creator. If the latest fashion is the only access to others, then it is likely they will never intend to see past the fashion. If “fitting in” is the goal of self, then we guarantee that we shall never know our own self worth. If we get to know and love the Creation, which provides our food and clothing and receives our waste, we might be less inclined to consume carelessly.

If we can only approach the Creator with our boasts of successful consumption, then He might one day decide that we have chosen our reward. There are conditions where our successes and failures will be recognized, where our kindness and loving touch will be expected and welcomed. If we make no demands, require no fame nor favor, love people and not stuff, and then, in our humility, traveling light we are in His Light. Robed in a well worn tunic, building lasting loving relationships, preserving a healthy Earth, and journeying with the deep knowledge of G_d’s power, may be not only a place to start his mission for us, but is the true victor’s stand on which to finish our race.

Pax,
jbt