Gospel Reading: Mt 10:7-13
Jesus said to the Twelve: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse 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.”
Reflection Wish it peace
In the passage, the word “peace” (eirene in Greek) appears three times in the last two lines. It must be very important. After a hard day’s work, a missionary withdraws to an environment to rest, suitable to replenish his energy for another day’s work. He must wish peace to the house where he lodges. His greeting is like saying, “Peace be with you,” which is the usual way to say hello in Jewish culture.
Where he stays, there must be peace. The people in the house must be peaceable, too. Since the host family vaguely knows the missionary, much tiptoeing may be necessary, but the head of the household is presumed to understand his guest’s purpose.
One thing is sure. The missionary carries no money and cargo. He does not occupy much space. He has nothing to lose when he goes away to preach. Not all homes can take strangers and give comfort for a protracted period of time. The missionary can create tension among the family members if he himself is not peaceable.
If we want to go around as God’s missionaries, preaching God’s Word and Kingdom, people must see us as simple people, devoid of arrogance and pretension. We cannot stay long in one place if we are troublemakers.
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Do people welcome you? Do they believe in your message?
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2018,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
