"Then Jesus asked them (his disciples), 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'" -- Luke 22:35-36

Jesus is referring to an earlier mission he sent the disciples on where he instructed them to take nothing with them, but to depend on others to host them and care for their needs.  Now the tide has changed.  It's time for them to care for themselves.  It's a fine line we walk as Christians when trying to follow Jesus' instruction for living.  "Don't worry about tomorrow..." He tells us.  But here we find instruction to be prepared.  Is that a contradiction?  I would say no, it's not.  You can prepare without worrying.  You can save money and still live for today.  You can have peace in understanding your own mortality and taste the sweetness of life while you have it.  While we are to be interdependent with one another, we aren't called to be completely dependent on others.  You will have weaknesses, and you will draw upon the strength of others.  At the same time, it's important to build your own strength in order that others can draw from you.  You do not live this life alone.  You are connected whether you like it or not.  It's better that way anyway.  Live life prepared.

Readings:  Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalms 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4