The Gospel According to Matthew (10:7-15)
- Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
Jesus’ message today may be interpreted for us now like this:
Regarding the proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven – Whether at home, at work, at the market, or just going about, we must proclaim the Gospel! By word of course, but more importantly, by the way we conduct ourselves. That is the best way everyone may recognize us as true disciples of Christ. This is the best way we may evangelize others. There should be no contradiction between what we say we believe and how we behave.
As far as curing the sick or raising the dead – Let us be attentive of anyone whose soul may be ill or dead. There is a great number of individuals who suffer from depression, who feel disconnected from the world, that feel abandoned or forgotten, and they go about wishing for their lives to end. Jesus is asking us to do whatever is necessary to bring the joy of life back into these individuals.
To cleanse the leper – Likewise, Jesus is charging us not simply to pray for and offer some charity to those rejected and marginalized, but to be in complete solidarity with them. Jesus is asking us to be one with the immigrant, the homeless, the incarcerated, the poor, the enslaved by addictions, the mentally ill, and others as such. To take one of these causes and do all we can to bring them back into full communion with the rest of society; to bring them back their dignity as children of God, the dignity of calling them brothers and sisters.
About not carrying gold, silver or other possessions – Jesus is asking us to trust that God will always provide. Many well-intentioned individuals stop short of starting or continuing a ministry because of the present lack of resources. However, let us recall the many times that God has assisted a great number of his servants with the necessary funding to achieve their goals such as Madre Teresa, Padre Pio, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Frances Cabrini, Fr. Greg Boyle, etc. Every time they encountered an obstacle or ran out of money, God always placed benefactors at crucial moments to support their ministries.
Finally, let us remember that the word Apostle simply means “sent”. Jesus is sending us out into the world, we are his apostles. We hear His exhortation at the end of every mass: to go out and Glorify God by our lives; to proclaim the Gospel. Now, we just need to follow Jesus’ instruction and spread the Good News!
Action of the Day
If you are not involved in a ministry yet, then today is just as good a day as any to do so. Take time to start discerning which ministry you feel God may be calling you to join or start. Talk to your priest or someone in the church to guide you. Also, spend some time with others who are currently serving in a ministry. Then, find the time to ask God to guide you. He will instruct you and equip you to spread God’s Kingdom to all.
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