Wear Sandals
He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals… (Mk 6.8,9)
Keep it simple. Don’t carry what you don’t need. I’m not sending you to convince anyone about any philosophy or convert anyone to any religion. I’m sending you so people may be healed of their dillusions, the things that cripple minds and bodies, that they may connect with what is true, with the object of their hiraeth, with what they already know within their being: God Is. God needs no defence. The kingdom of heaven has come near (Matthew and Luke’s version). The kingdom of God is closer than your own breath. Stop. Be still. Know God. The healing begins right here.
I give you authority over the demons of self-delusion, new-age babble, fake religion, psycho or politico mumbo… You cast them out in your humility.
Oh and don’t worry about the ones who reject you. There will be welcomers too. Stay with them. If you are rejected, it is not for you to try to work out why. Just shake it off, like the dust on your feet, and move on.
And don’t go treading over everyone with big ‘I am’ boots. Wear sandals. Take the low ground. You know the sea stays low. And because the sea stays low, all rivers empty into the sea.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
Amen.
Tonnau Duw ('God's waves') Fr Tim Ardouin 