Matthew 10:7-13 NRSVue
7As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’, 8Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, for laborers deserve their food. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
In prayer we can ask ourselves, ‘What was the good news of God for me these
last days?’ the good news can be a blessing in the tough times of life, the
goodness of someone’s love and friendship, the smile of a baby or the
thanks of an elderly person. Good news can be in the coming of peace to a
country or neighbourhood. We can do that when we discover the good news in
our own lives. Jesus asks us to proclaim it.
Reflection
There’s something in this gospel about being single-minded. When we work
for the Lord we stop worrying about clothing, money, shelter. We are
concerned but not anxious. It is difficult to take this literally but it asks
us to be open-minded and open-hearted in the following of Christ. We are to
be people for whom this relationship is a priority in life and that nothing
else should sour it or come before it. All love, all friendships, all we are,
all we have and all we do are in the love of Christ and to him all can be
given.
Reflection
Something big has come into the world in Jesus Christ. He is the one who
announces the kingdom of God. The reign of God is where the things and
concerns of God take priority place in the life of the world and of people.
In the community of the church we commit ourselves to being people who live
in the love, call and challenge of the reign of God, praying each day, ‘Thy
kingdom come'.
Reflection
Jesus wants discipleship to be free of calculation and of measurement. He
invites me to see myself as someone who gives freely of the good they have
received.
Reflection
I am sent to bring life, healing and renewal. I take this time to allow God
to give me what I need so that I may give, not of my own resources, but of
what I have freely received.
Reflection
'Take nothing.' Picture an airport full of travellers intent on their
destinations, carefully marshalling and shepherding their luggage - locking
it, lugging it, looking out for it, loading it. What does that do to people?
Why does Jesus want us to travel lightly?