Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two (Matthew 6:7)

After this Jesus appointed a further seventy two and sent them out in pairs before him... They returned in jubilation... (John 10:1, 17)

A recent Sunday gospel gave me pause to think about the phrase "two by two" and what it means to be sent out two by two. It seems to me that there are few tasks in life that are not done better, easier, faster and better when they are done by more than one person. Very few challenging tasks are one person jobs. Even those that can be done by a single woman or man are completed with less effort and in much less time when a second person gets involved.

Time was of concern when Jesus sent out his followers to the area towns and villages. The time allotted for his ministry on earth was growing short; it was time for some ‘hands on' training in for the ones he would leave behind. But why "two by two"? Why not in bigger groups or alone? And why does our Society make visitation in pairs a requirement? What's so special about "two by two"?

First of all, it is historical. Jesus was following the Jewish practice of requiring a minimum of two witnesses. The Society does today what Blessed Frederic and his companions began in Paris, that is, visit people in their homes and in pairs. As humans we need to continue that which is good and that makes sense. For both the followers of Jesus and the followers of Blessed Frederic there is protection in numbers and we do a better job when we use the buddy system.

Secondly, most of the really tough jobs that I have encountered require another person. Everything from moving a heavy item to working at a long term, challenging task like raising children is easier done when I have a strong companion. Rearranging the living room or unloading cases of donated foods is so much easier with a physically strong person at my side. But more important is the strong Vincentian presence beside me when I encounter Christ in the challenges of another person in need.

Finally, working together brings success. Luke's gospel says that the 72 who were sent "two by two" by Jesus ‘returned in jubilation', so they were certainly successful. Likewise, Vincentians are always successful when we have each other to walk with and to share our trials and successes. Two Vincentians can make twice the observations and do twice as much problem solving. A lone visitor or a group of three or more might make someone feel uneasy, but two is the perfect number for a home visit.

As lay Catholics, most Vincentians also experience the sacrament of marriage, definitely a two by two experience. My husband and I entered into our marriage on July 31, 1965. It doesn't seem possible that fifty years have passed since we promised ourselves to each other before God and our friends and family members, but a look in the mirror confirms the passage of a great deal of time. (Who is that old lady anyway?) We have seen so much together, births and deaths, times filled with joy and with sorrow, and we have experienced them two by two. The married state is indeed a blessing of itself. How would we have managed without the love and support we shared?

Thank you God our Father, Jesus our Brother, Holy Spirit our Consoler, for the blessings we share as we travel our roads two by two.

Submitted by
Denise Bondy, Chair
ONRC Spirituality Committee