Our Lord Christ always sent out his disciples two by two. This was done on purpose, for Jesus knew that one disciple, by himself, would lack the support needed on the way. We know well that most roads, whether well-tread or new, bring with them challenges, difficulties, and hardships. Such is the journey, still to this day, that even though our roads are better than in ancient times, it is still much better and easier to reach our destination when we have the support of our brethren and friends.

We are not meant always to tread the path by ourselves. Even the old hermits in the time of the Desert Fathers stopped their solitude to embrace their brother pilgrims on the road. Do we think fulfilling the commandment to love God is easier when we do not have our brothers around?

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)

To love our brethren because of our love of God is what we are commanded to do, and we cannot do that if we are alone. In the Eucharist, we all together are the body of Christ. In that union with Christ Eucharistic, we are united to the whole Church, and if we experience the love of Christ, we experience his love for the world.

We are sent to support and love one another in our mission to propagate the good news everywhere, and it does not matter where we go if we follow Christ. Yes, we are sent together to walk with Jesus in the apostolic life, but remember to help those who walk alongside us with Christ — living in the Eucharistic presence; who is your second?

Let us pray:

Lord, help us to love and support one another along the road to Heaven. May we all sing your praises to the world so that you may be glorified in what we do and who we are. Amen.