In sending out the disciples on mission in today’s Gospel, Jesus states “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.” (Mt. 10:9-10abcd) There are two lessons we can take from this instruction.
First, we must not let the concerns of the world get in the way of our mission of proclaiming the Gospel. These concerns are often material, but also include worldly concerns for praise, advancement, etc. When the worldly is our concern it is really a focus on ourselves. The proclamation of the Gospel is how we live God’s will for us. His will is that all humanity come to know of His love and desire for them and that in living in relationship with them they find the peace and joy they long for deep within. Each of us has a share in the responsibility of that mission according to our talents and vocation in life.
Second (and related), the need for spiritual detachment. The disciple needs to be living a relationship of love with the Lord in order to share that love with others. If the focus of our heart is one anything but Love itself, we will not be able to live our full potential nor experience the joy and peace the Lord desires for us and, as a result, we will be ineffective in our lives as Christian disciples. Faith will make no difference to us or to others.
Our hope and trust must be in the Lord and not in ourselves or the world.
Living in Love with God 
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