The Word God Spells

Matthew 10: 7-15
Gn 44:18-21.23-29; 45:1-5 / Ps 105

Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.
(Matthew 10:

We shall not lack for provision
In our mission to serve the Lord;
Nor should we seek compensation,
Being chosen is enough reward.

“As you go, make this proclamation: `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give. Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his keep. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor’rah than for that town.”

Reflection

In his letter to the Romans (10:13), St. Paul said, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can anyone invoke the name of the Lord if he or she has only scant knowledge about Him? So many nominal Catholics hardly even go to mass regularly, much less spend some time reading the Scriptures. So, how can they be expected to develop an intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus unless His dedicated followers introduce Him and God’s plan of salvation to them?

We consider ourselves fortunate that “without cost we have received” the grace of faith in Jesus Christ, which sustains us in times of hardship, and engenders peace of mind in times of conflict. But how much of this faith have we shared with others without counting the cost? I admire a dear friend, Bro. Johnny, who consistently invites friends and colleagues to our brotherhood’s weekly Saturday fellowship, and pays for their breakfast. “Money is not a big question when it comes to the mission of bringing others to Christ,” he once told me. What motivates him? It is simply his love for Jesus, and as a way of showing his gratitude for having received the “pearl of great price” of faith from the Lord. True. From a Christian perspective, when you have found a great treasure, your joy is doubled when you share it with others. After all, it did not cost you anything; it was a gift from the Lord. So why not share it? God wants all His children to receive the Good News of salvation, and so it is incumbent upon all who have seen God’s light to be involved in this mission of evangelization.

Lord, may we never forget that the work of evangelization is Your work, not ours, just as the inspiration, strength and conviction involved are not ours, but come from Your Holy Spirit. With this knowledge, may we never tire nor be discouraged in bringing the Gospel values and Your Good News of salvation to others. Amen.