fleece unstained by sleaze grease.

Our Lord’s instruction to drop the money bag, sack and sandals conforms with the First Beatitude to be “poor in spirit,” relying on God to provide and being ready for privation if the mission demands it and as part of emulating Christ’s own detachment from the world.

Team Marcos may not fully abide by such strictures on wealth, but living sans largesse certainly helps greatly to counter the lure of lucre and graft. Ditching money bags and sacks means no receptacles for ill-gotten wealth. And dressing simply makes officialdom more approachable for ordinary folk put off by elite ways and wear.

Next lesson: peace. Central to Christ’s message is the peace of oneness with God, offered to every person and household. But not everyone cares for this peace. No matter: Jesus tells his disciples to move on because there are many others keen for the call to be at peace with God.

Indeed, the harvest is plenty, so just reach out to those willing to listen. And the resulting abundance of believers would eventually sway the unbelieving.

The Marcos administration also needs to reach out in peace to build the very unity in his and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s winning campaign mantra. And the way to build bonds is also spelled out in the Gospel: share meals with the people, heal the ills ailing them, and join hands with them in advancing the justice and goodness God wants for our nation and the world.

For sure, there are wolves aplenty, along with unholy entities, sowing discord and corruption. And both Jesus and Marcos face doubters dismissing the call for reform and devils spawning evil.

Jesus saw Satan fall and knew evil would never triumph. Marcos also saw a great fall and knows evil must not be allowed to triumph. So help us God.