Letting Go: Embracing Essential Blessings in Life

February 6, 2025 – Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020625.cfm)

Have you experienced of having the thought of “I might need this… I might need that”? And because this can grow into a form of anxiety, this could develop to be a kind of compulsion in us. We could experience it when we are about to travel to somewhere else. Just because there are many things that we thought might be useful for us, then, we realize that we are being burdened by many things that are not useful at all. We also experience it even just by staying at home or in our own rooms and personal space.

Indeed, things would clutter from small things to big things. Perhaps from small old toys, papers, clothes, shoes, plastics, containers and many other things. And having the thought of “I might need this… I might need that” would make us accumulate more to the point that we find it difficult to let of things even when those are not essentials.

I also had a similar experience like this. Years ago, during my theological studies, I was sent abroad for a mission exposure. Few nights before my flight, I had my inventory on what I should bring for the one year mission experience in Indonesia. I kept looking at my things worried that I might forget something important and something that “I might need.”

So aside from clothes, I prepared small things, vitamins and preventive medicines against malaria, books, camping and survival kit, treats and sweets for my sweet tooth and many other small things. Expectedly, my luggage was overweight and so I had to pay a few thousand pesos for the excess weight.

However, when I was already in the mission area, there were many things that I brought but I was not able to use. I realized I had more than enough.

And again, such a situation can also be true in other aspects of our life. One could be overburdened in his or her relationship because of the emotional baggage the person brings into that relationship. Trauma from the past, or guilt, shame, fear, anger, hatred or other insecurities could make our life more difficult and at times overwhelming and suffocating.

Realizing this attitude which may be present in us, Jesus in the Gospel today offers us a different approach. As Jesus gathered his disciples he began to send out the Twelve, two by two.

They were given power to cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick. Though, in their journey, Jesus instructed them “to bring nothing except a walking stick.” They were “allowed to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” This means that there were no other things to be brought by them, only the most essentials in the journey.

And looking at it at a very human perspective, the journey sounds a quite harsh and difficult. A disciple could feel so vulnerable and insecure for not having other things in the journey. Yet, Jesus “gave them authority.” That authority is power. And that power is to bring blessing, healing and peace.

Despite the poverty they had, the small things they possessed, the very presence of God among them and the power given to them suffice what they need.

The same spirit and attitude of the heart has been shown by St. Paul Miki and his many companions. This Japanese Jesuit Priest together with his friends continued to bring blessing even to their persecutors until their death. Paul Miki was from an affluent family but left influence and comfort to embrace Christianity and a missionary. In the midst of Christian persecution in his own land in Japan, Paul Miki and his companions remained steadfast and committed to bring blessing to people.

This tells us now that true power does not rest in our capacity to destroy others but in our capacity to give life, to heal, to bless and make peace even in the midst of poverty, persecutions and insecurities.

There are two essentials now that we are invited to bring.

First, to trust God’s generosity and power. The Lord provides the needs of His friends and this is experienced by us through the generosity of people around us. The abiding presence of God is with us. And to fully trust in God’s Providence is an act of faith. This is the reason why the twelve were to bring nothing. It was to allow themselves to become companions and friends of the people whom they were to encounter. They may have the power given by God, yet, they were not above the people or apart from the people. They were equal in status as companions and friends. They were to live among the people and be immersed in the life of the people.

Second, to carry and give blessing, always. This makes the Kingdom of God to grow more in our hearts, homes and communities. As we carry and give blessing, the more we also receive blessing because we become more conscious of the essentials and able to let go what prevents us. Even in the midst of our poverty or persecution may we remain blessed. Hinaut pa.