In today's Gospel, Jesus gives his 12 disciples some rather stern marching orders: They are ordered to go out, two by two, and drive out demons and preach repentance. That is challenging enough, but Jesus also reminds them that they are not allowed to take anything for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts. At least Jesus let them wear sandals, but only the tunic on their back.

This tradition continues today. Very early in their training, young novices in the Jesuit Order receive similar instructions. The Constitution St. Ignatius drafted provides that the novices are to embark on a month-long pilgrimage "without money … begging from door to door … to grow accustomed to discomfort in food and lodging."

In visiting with Creighton University Jesuits about their pilgrimages, many shared stories of how they were sent to some distant city to serve the poor or counsel prisoners, with only $30 in their pocket and a backpack. All told me of the wonderful people they met on the road, often hitchhiking, as was the way back in the 70s and 80s, spending nights in homes of people they just met and asking for money to help pay for a meal or buy a bus ticket.

One would expect that fear and despair would have been a common element to their stories, but the recurring theme was that their pilgrimage made them learn two key things: First, while on their journey, their vulnerability forced them to communicate their needs with others,; and secondly, they had to trust in the goodness of others to help them. Out of this open communication and newfound trust grew bonds with people they had never met before, almost akin to a longtime friendship, and maybe more importantly, a deeper trust in God’s constant presence.

Sadly, in today's world, it seems that two things headed for extinction are communicating with strangers and trusting in their innate goodness. Our polarized culture is too often focused on talking only to people with whom we share our small worldview, and distrusting everyone else's view or comment. Maybe if we were willing to embark on a pilgrimage such as the 12 disciples did and the novices still do, without out all the "baggage" we carry with us of preconceived notions, we might be able to communicate more openly with others and realize that we need their trust and understanding as much as they need ours.

During our daily Examen of Consciousness, we need to remember that we have a unique spiritual identity, and that God is calling us to develop that identity. Is the real "us" one who is closed to new ideas and ways of looking at problems in our world? We must listen to the Holy Spirit calling in our hearts and learn to let go of our baggage and experience the empowering vulnerability experienced by the 12 disciples and Jesuits, so that we, too, can communicate more freely, trust more deeply, and love with our whole hearts.