Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 10, 7-13
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.
Saint Barnabas
1) The journey. Life is a journey and, as the well-known saying goes, “the path is made by walking.” The challenge arises when you expect others to walk your path for you because you’re afraid to take the next step. Every journey involves risks, but with time you learn how to face them. In youth, you often run ahead and fall hard. In maturity, you learn when to move quickly and when to slow down. In old age, you no longer need to run, because life has taught you how to navigate its risks with wisdom and serenity.
2) Cure. Whenever I reflect on this Gospel, I examine myself and ask, as part of the Church: are we still healing people? At times, we present ourselves as a “hospital for the soul,” yet when someone arrives wounded by life, we become scandalized and judgmental. Instead of being a hospital for the soul, we turn into a courtroom for souls. Other times, say we want to open our doors, but instead of going out in search of those who need comfort and relief, we focus on attracting more followers —as if we were expecting recognition, desiring to get a “YouTube Creator Award” for spiritual subscribers. We may even organize great events, but we end up fighting among ourselves for visibility or credit. In all of this, we can lose sight of what truly matters: helping wounded people encounter the mercy of God.
3) Look for. I think a phrase that really resonates with me is “letting myself be helped,” and seeking out good people who can help me fulfill God’s work in my life and yours. Many people are willing to serve but don’t know how. Many others are in need of God yet have still not been reached because we are too busy with meetings, strategic plans, workshops, and conferences on evangelization. We forget that evangelizing means bringing the Gospel through our life. For many people, the only Gospel they may ever read is the witness of the life you live.
Always remember that something good is on the way.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
