When Jesus sends his disciples on their first apostolic mission, he tells them: "Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food."7 He urges them to set out immediately to fulfill their task. And so that, from the beginning, they learn to rely on supernatural means, he deprives them of all human help.
Thus, the Apostles set out—with nothing—so it becomes clear that the healings, conversions, and miracles they perform are not theirs; that their human qualities are not enough to dispose people to receive the Kingdom of God. They should not worry about lacking material goods and extraordinary human qualities; what is missing, God will provide to the necessary extent.
This holy boldness repeats itself over and over again in all apostolates. How many great things have been undertaken without having the most essential human means available! Thus have the saints worked. They have well known that "Christ, sent by the Father, is the source and origin of all apostolates in the Church."8 When the Christian is persuaded of what God wants, he must only stop for the bare essentials to take stock of the means available to him. "In works of apostolate it is good—it is a duty—that you consider your earthly means (2 + 2 = 4), but never forget! that fortunately, you have another summation: God + 2 + 2…"9.
We can draw the same teaching from the First Reading of today's Mass, which gathers the words of Gamaliel, Saint Paul's teacher, to the Sanhedrin, advising them on what they must do with the Apostles. After recalling some examples of purely human initiatives—the insurrections of Theudas and Judas the Galilean—which failed with the death of their promoters, he adds: "So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"10 Our security and optimism in working for God are based on the fact that He does not abandon us. *Si Deus pro nobis, quis contra nos?*—If God is with us, who against us?11.
Always relying on God first is a good sign of humility. The Apostles learned this well and put it into practice in their evangelizing task, after the Resurrection. Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? Ministers of Him in whom you have believed. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth,"12 Saint Paul will say.
HCD