Homily on Luke 9:1-6: Trust, Not Burden (24-9-25)

A homily on Luke 9:1-6 with the story of a marathon, teaching how success comes not from what we carry but from trusting Christ.(24-9-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

There was once a marathon race. The organisers told the runners, “You do not need to bring water or food. At each part of the road, you will be given what you need.” Most of the runners trusted this word and came light. But one runner said, “I have my own special drink and my own food. I cannot depend on others.” He tied bottles of water and energy drinks to his belt and filled a bag with snacks.

When the race began, the runners who came light ran freely, keeping their strength for the long road. At every stop they were given fresh water and fruit, and they grew stronger as they went. However, the one who carried the things on his own began to slow down and his back ached, his steps grew heavy, and soon he was far behind. At the finish line it was clear: those who trusted and travelled light reached with joy, but the one who carried too much struggled even to finish.

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells His disciples, “Take nothing for the journey.” No staff, no bag, no bread, not even money. The disciples went without anything but Christ, and they were successful. They healed the sick, preached the Good News, and brought peace to families. Today we often go with everything — books, plans, methods, and wealth — but we must ask ourselves: are we truly successful? The travellers and mountain climbers usually carry a few luggage with them to make the journey smoother and easy. The birds take advantage of their light weight to  fly high. The carriages that we add with us often burden us on the way. 

Jesus did not send His disciples empty-handed to make them suffer. He wanted them to learn trust. Their strength was not in what they carried but in who sent them. Just as the marathon runners had to trust the organisers, the disciples had to trust the Lord. God ask us to move freely keeping trust on him like a child who knows his mother carries everything for it. As the Psalmist sings “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child I am content”, let us too enjoy the great trust in Him. 

This message runs through the Old Testament. Abraham left his land with nothing but God’s promise. Moses led the people into the desert with no food, yet God gave them manna. David stood before Goliath with no armour, yet the Lord gave him victory. Scripture repeats one truth: when God sends, He also provides. Psalm 127: 1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain”. It is not our plans and effort but God’s grace makes everything beautiful.

The saints remind us of the same. Saint Francis of Assisi carried nothing but faith, and his life changed the world.  His witness says clearly: you may have nothing, but with Christ you have everything. “Da mihi animas, cetera tolle” is a beautiful prayer of St. John Bosco means ” Give me souls and take everything else”. They all prayed so from deeper heart because of the joy they enjoyed with God and the inner freedom they received out of it. Each consecrated leave their dear and near ones to be owned by God. Each couple leave their homes to accept and be part of new family. 

This is true also in our homes. Families often believe that happiness depends on possessions. Yet children need not only food or clothes but love, prayer, and the example of trust in God. A family that prays together, even if they have little, is richer than one filled with goods but empty of faith.

We too carry bags that weigh us down. Pride, anger, resentment, fear — these are heavier than any bottle or bag. If we let them go, our journey becomes lighter, and our hearts freer to trust. 

The disciples went with nothing but Christ, and they were successful. Today we go with everything…… but are we truly successful?

 Jesus I trust in you…

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