By Allison Gingras
“And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” ~ Matthew 10:7
In Matthew 10:1–7, Jesus sends out the Apostles with authority and a mission: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” They venture out with no extra baggage, no GPS, nothing but a deep-rooted trust that God will provide for them.
Meanwhile, I head into vacation week looking like I’m preparing for a six-month expedition. While I love the idea of rest and relaxation—especially if wine, a good book, and a comfy chair are involved—I’ve realized something uncomfortable over the years: sometimes I bring everything with me but Jesus.
At home, my faith life feels natural. A morning prayer time that I affectionately refer to as “coffee with Christ.” A Rosary when I am driving in the car, Mass five days a week, Holy Hour, weekly women’s group—it’s woven into my daily rhythm. But take me out of my routine and place me around people who aren’t talking about faith, and suddenly I forget I’m still called to be a disciple. I slip into what I jokingly call the “Faith Protection Program.”
Jesus never said, “Proclaim the Kingdom, but only when it’s convenient.” He sent ordinary people who still had fears, flaws, and questions. Jesus “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity” (Matthew 10:1). Faithfully, they carried out the plans God had for them; they were able to do what was asked because they were consistently connected to Him through prayer.
That’s the reminder I need most during vacations, holidays, and even ordinary busy days: the Kingdom of Heaven is always at hand. And being a citizen of that kingdom is as easy as raising my heart and mind to God in prayer. The problem is that my attention is easily drawn away when my routine is altered in any way.
Thankfully, when I lose focus, God offers grace instead of guilt. Maybe bringing Jesus on vacation simply means making checking for Mass times more important than making dinner reservations, praying grace even in a crowded restaurant, or saying a Rosary while walking the beach or driving between attractions.
We never stop being disciples, even on vacation. After all, the best trips are spent in the company of dear friends—and there is no better companion than Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for never abandoning me, even when I become distracted by busyness, routines, or relaxation. Help me remember that Your Kingdom is always at hand and give me the grace to keep You at the center wherever I go.
Call to Action:
Before your next outing, vacation, or family gathering, intentionally invite Jesus to come along and look for one simple way to keep your faith present throughout the day.
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