(Mark 6:7-13) After a couple years of intensive discipleship at the feet of Jesus, it is time to put the apostles to the test. This will be their first time out on their own, the first time being the ones preaching and healing. Jesus is placing lots of trust in them, and they will be challenged to trust in the training Jesus had given them. He is also challenging them to trust that God will somehow provide for their needs as they leave on their mission with no food, no money, not even a change of clothes.
How would you do if you were to be sent out on such a mission today? How would you get by? You would do fine, hopefully, if you have companions sharing the mission and trust the people you meet along the way will be the “angels” God will send to take care of your needs. That’s why Jesus sent them out two by two with nothing in their pockets. They would discover that God provides for them as they give of themselves for others.
As with those apostles, we need one another for emotional and spiritual support to remain vibrant as disciples and evangelizers in Jesus’ name.