Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 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 and not to put on two tunics. (Mark 6: 6-9)

In Matthew's gospel Jesus instructs that even sandals and staff be left behind.

They are to make no practical preparations. They are to depend entirely on the hospitality of strangers and the love of God.

This is contrary to our common sense. The teaching contradicts my experience. The result is unnecessary vulnerabilty.

But in making a spiritual journey increased vulnerability may be an essential aspect of achieving the goal.

We cultivate the illusion of control. This illusion is often our greatest impediment to being in full relationship with God.

We are always vulnerable. What we do to reduce our vulnerability barely adjusts the margins of risk.

Purposefully increasing our vulnerabilty is a choice to move outside the illusion. It allows us to see what is fundamentally real: our risks, our opportunities, and - if we are attentive - God's intention.