"He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick-no food, no sack, no money in their belts." We come into this world with nothing at all. Perhaps family members and friends have purchased some diapers, blankets and a few clothes. We allow ourselves to be taken care of. For quite some time we're not concerned with remembering what we need.

Our mom or dad is in charge of food, diapers, sun screen, tissues and anything else we might need. When we go someplace our only responsibility is to get into the car. We know we are special. Everybody treats us that way. We're content with all the attention we get.

As we grow a bit older we start thinking more about "things." We might have a friend who has a toy or game we'd like to have. We might beg and beg for it. We might become protective of our things. If someone else would touch them or play with them they might never be the same. There are certain things we consider "ours." Even though we might not always remember to bring them in from outside or bring them home with us they're "our"

possessions.

When we get older yet we may start to get more and more responsible. We might begin to worry about how we look and how we appear to others. We might spend a long time in front of the mirror being sure we are "just right" before anybody else is allowed to see us. Going somewhere now becomes quite complicated. We might even need a list in order to remember all the things we perceive we need, even for a short time away from home.

The more time and energy we spend accumulating things, the less we have to devote to things that really matter in life. With good intentions we can set out to provide the best for our families. We can work so hard and long that we don't have time to enjoy being with them. We might even see our family torn apart. We can become so preoccupied with what we have, what we need and what we will need that we miss how nice life could be right now if we simply focused on the things that matter, on the things that will last.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him." We can bless God who has blessed us. God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be hold and without blemish before him. God has a dream for us. That dream can be realized only when we stay close to God and seek to do what God would have us do, when God would have us do it, in the way God would have it done.

This week we can consider the things that will last forever. Will it do lots of good for us to leave a great deal of money to our loved ones if we have sacrificed spending time with them? Will it be valuable to gain titles and higher paychecks? Will it be valuable for us to work so hard that we don't have time for Church, for God, for our husband or wife, for our children? In my 28 years of priesthood I've never heard a dying person express regret that they hadn't worked enough hours or accumulated enough things. Their focus is on God, love, family and friends.

God has called us to wear the world like a loose garment, focusing on the things that matter. That's how we'll carry on the work of Jesus. Our faith life can lead us to a healthy life each day as we devote time and energy to God, Church, family and friends. If we do things God's way we can leave a wonderful legacy for our children. Have a good week.