Mk 6:7-13
7[Jesus] summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12So they went off and preached repentance. 13They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
A walking stick and sandals: In this journey we call life, Jesus is clear on what to carry: a walking stick and a pair of sandals. How will we survive with only these? Can we live on a stick or can sandals be our sandwich?
It will be a problem if we are just after the fish and not the lessons on how to fish. The walking stick may be the guidelines and principles we receive from our parents, the words we live by, and the values that walk with us, to keep our head and our heart in their proper places. My father reminded me as a young boy to study well. Knowledge would see me through far in life. This walking stick he handed me was true and reliable.
My sandals have been the love of my mother, the faithfulness of friends, the love of the people I try to serve faithfully as a priest. They have supported me and protected me like old, comfortable sandals.
What are your walking stick and sandals? Do not count on money and material things; they will wear thin. Look for a stick that is strong and for sandals that will last. Let the Father be your stick and his Son be your sandals. With them you will go into eternal life!