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.
— Matthew 10:7-15
The peace of the Lord be with you. To be a follower of Jesus means to be a people who will be sent. We see this tradition beginning today in our Gospel from Matthew as Jesus sends his disciples to start gathering back the lost tribes of Israel. Jesus gives us a list of tasks we are to address as we do his work. We are to remind others that God and his kingdom are present now. We are to offer healing and consolation in Jesus name. We are to be an example of being cared for by God and demonstrate that we trust God is providing for us. We are called to offer prayers and seek God’s blessing. We are called to accept that not everyone will be open to this good news and to leave these situations in God’s hands.
So as we begin this new day let us pray for the graces to carry out our mission through our thoughts, actions, and if need be, our words. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.