The Gospel of St. Mark shares how Jesus sends out His apostles—with nothing but the clothes on their backs:
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. (Mk. 6:7-9)
When hearing this passage, many either gloss over it or think to themselves that such a journey is completely impossible. Do we fall into this thinking? If so, we ought to think twice, for God provides! While He may not give us what we want all the time, He always gives us what we need. We must learn to trust Him.
When we are overly attached to our possessions, our attention is not focused upon God. And though we need things in the world, practically speaking, we as Catholics should aspire to live as simply as possible. Heaven is our true home and the man who wants the least while he is on this earth is the man who will be the richest in the next life.
I have been married for 12 years. In that time, my wife and I have had five children. We have also lost three children to miscarriages. We have never used contraception in our marriage and, as a Catholic couple, are open to life.
My wife and I are not rich, but throughout our marriage we have never wanted for anything. The Lord has provided for us in every way. As a husband and father of five young children, I have found peace in this: I trust in God’s providence more than I trust in my ability to provide—much more!
God has proven to me that He will provide for my family; therefore, I trust Him. I tell my wife all the time that if we do our part by living out our marriage vows, remaining open to life, and staying in the state of grace, then God will do His part.
The secular world believes that such a journey—one of being open to life—is impossible. “It’s irresponsible.” “It’s too expensive.” It is these souls who need to see to believe—and God may be asking to use your witness to reach them.
Sacramental marriages that do not use contraception are living signs of Christ. They teach us to “die to self”—the very root of authentic love. Such sacrificial witnesses point to God in a world that believes only in the self and being “in control.”
Catholic couples who practice this authentic love are on the front lines of the culture war today. We are a witness to our Faith in a hostile world. It is not easy, but there is hope.
Catholic families living out their marriage vows are raising the children who will one day be leaders, both in the world and the Church. This is how we change the world. Be open to life, and trust that God will provide for you. He has done so for me and my family.
In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all. (1 Chr. 29:12)
So, I ask the question again: Do you trust that God will provide for you and your family? If you say yes, then trust in Christ and in the teachings of His Church. Believe that God will provide for you in every way.
The instruction Jesus extends to His apostles also extends to us:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. (Mt. 6:25-33)
If we let go of the reins of our lives and give God control, we will experience a great amount of freedom. Then we will meet the living God, and He will use our life’s witness to speak to an unbelieving world.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on the author’s blog, O Francesco, and reprinted here with kind permission.
Photo by Claudia Raya on Unsplash
