I find amusement in what initially seems like a contradiction within Jesus’s message. “Raise the dead… and bring no money, one shirt, and no luggage. Go!” I’d think such a monstrous task as raising the dead would require all the material support in the world! Of course, I am thinking like any other human person, and in Christ’s mission, it’s quite the opposite.

Although most of us aren’t called to drive out demons like the apostles, we’re all called to proclaim the kingdom through our lives in various ways. In order to do that, we need to leave behind anything unnecessary that weighs us down—literal or metaphorical—so we can be sufficiently focused. It’s uncomfortable. It’s hard. And yet, ironically, it’s a path of simplicity that allows God to provide.

Like many, I feel the most spiritual growth during Lent, thanks to increased daily prayer and fewer material distractions. But Lent is now long in the past. While there’s a deep beauty within the church’s Ordinary Time, it’s easier for less important things to regain focus, causing a spiritual rut. They might not be physical belongings, but they sure can be a mental anchor.

Even further, in Chicago, where I live, “Summertime Chi” is now in full swing, with street festivals, baseball games, and beach days demanding my attention throughout these warm months. Across America, families are embarking on vacations and camps, and college students are working hard in fast-paced internships. These aren’t inherently bad things. But if we’re not careful, we can lose sight of Christ’s directive.

We have the wonderful responsibility of proclaiming the kingdom today! To do that, what areas of our lives do we need to simplify to best hear the voice of God? And what unnecessary baggage do we need to leave behind to most effectively allow Christ to work through us?