7-Jul-16

Gospel MT 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.”
Reflection:

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’"
For centuries people had been waiting for the Messiah to arrive and bring about the Kingdom of God on earth.
Jesus is the only One who ever lived His life in complete accordance with the will of God.
So, in instructing His apostles to announce the "Kingdom of God is at hand," Jesus was saying, "Let them know I am here."
"Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons."
Today, we let them know He is here in the same way by doing good deeds in His name such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and healing the sick.
"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."
Our faith and hope are given to us by God. In spreading the Good News, we should not look for or expect an earthly reward; it is our great privilege to share with others the faith that has been freely given to us.
"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."
As we serve in the name of God, we should be careful not to leave an impression that we are people who put our trust in gold or our possessions. When spreading Christ's message, we are to set the example of trusting in God to supply all of our needs
"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."
Interestingly, Jesus does not say, "Take your peace back." He says, "Let your peace return to you." We go into the "marketplace" (the homes of those we serve) with a peaceful countenance. If it is a peaceful home then we are all at peace with one another. If it is not a peaceful place...most likely we are uncomfortable, and it is only when we leave that "our peace returns to us."
"Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet."
Jesus is not telling the apostles to abandon people who will not receive their message. Instead, He is simply saying, "Do not spend your time trying to convince those that reject your message. Plant the seed of My coming and then it is up to them to accept it or not."
Each person is confronted with the challenge of whether or not to accept Jesus Christ Those who refuse would do well to remember:
“Three things come not back — the spent arrow, the spoken word, the lost opportunity.” - - Unknown