Ezra could feel the collective weight of Israel's sins on his conscience. The Israelites were living in exile in Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem. They all were searching their hearts for the reason that this had happened, wondering if God had abandoned them. It was a real crisis of faith. But even in the depth of their degradation and misery, Ezra could sense the presence of God's grace and mercy. It was a new day and they had a hopeful future. The faithful remnant - those who had not forsaken God or forgotten his ways - would rebuild the nation. Our own lives can rise from the rubble and ashes too - God never abandons us, and God's grace is always present.

It does not seem wise to send out the Twelve with absolutely nothing - no money, clothes, etc. We would not travel like that today. But in a way, they had much more at their disposal - the Spirit and the power that Jesus granted them over demons and diseases. Jesus wanted them to know that this was not their own effort, but strictly a gift from God, so he stripped them of everything else. He also wanted them to move quickly, unencumbered by possessions. Most of all, he wanted them to proclaim the Good News to the people. We all need to hear good news, especially now, and the best news that we can hear is what they proclaimed: God loves us unconditionally, God has sent his Son to give us new life, and God is at work in the world constantly on our behalf. Hopefully we can pass that same news on to others in word, thought, and deed.