GOSPEL POWER l JULY 7, 2022 - THURSDAY

14th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 10:7-15 

Jesus said to the Twelve, 7 “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9 Take 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. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” 

 he proclaimers of the heavenly Kingdom must conduct themselves in a way that their lives become the visual aid of the first beatitude — Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3). Poverty in spirit implies total dependence on the One to whom the Kingdom belongs — the gracious Father of Jesus who will see to it that the needs of the missionaries are provided for. Thus, they can travel light, in keeping with the instructions of Jesus. Since the beatitude assures them that the kingdom of heaven is theirs, their proclamation will be effective, for one can give only what is in one’s possession. Powerful yet poor, as they go about to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and drive out demons, their mission will testify to the ongoing divine reversal — God turning worldly expectations upside down — which is the authenticating sign of the presence of the heavenly Kingdom. 

Lord Jesus, keep our lifestyle coherent with the message of the Kingdom that we proclaim. Amen.