From: Matthew 10:7-13
The Calling and First Mission of the Apostles (Continuation)
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Commentary:
7-8. Previously, the prophets, when speaking of the messianic times, had used
imagery suited to the people’s spiritual immaturity. Now, Jesus, in sending His
Apostles to proclaim that the promised Kingdom of God is imminent, lays stress
on its spiritual dimension. The power mentioned in verse 8 are the very sign of
the Kingdom of God or the reign of the Messiah proclaimed by the prophets. At
first (chapters 8 and 9) it is Jesus who exercises these messianic powers; now
He gives them to His disciples as proof that His mission is divine (Isaiah 35:5-6;
40:9; 52:7; 61:1).
9. “Belts”: twin belts, stitched together leaving space where coins and other
small, heavy objects could be secreted and carried.
9-10. Jesus urges His disciples to set out on their mission without delay. They
should not be worried about material or human equipment: God will make up any
shortfall. This holy audacity in setting about God’s work is to be found throughout
the history of the Church: if Christians had bided their time, waiting until they had
the necessary material resources, many, many souls would never have received
the light of Christ. Once a Christian is clear in his mind about what God wants
him to do, he should not stay at home checking to see if he has the wherewithal
to do it. “In your apostolic undertakings you are right—it’s your duty—to consider
what means the world can offer you (2 + 2 = 4), but don’t forget—ever!—that, fortu-
nately, your calculation must include another term: God + 2 + 2...” (St. J. Escri-
va, “The Way”, 471).
However, that being said, we should not try to force God’s hand, to have Him do
something exceptional, when in fact we can meet needs by our own efforts and
work. This means that Christians should generously support those who, because
they are totally dedicated to the spiritual welfare of their brethren, have no time
left over to provide for themselves: in this connection see Jesus’ promise in Mat-
thew 10:40-42.
11-13. “Peace” was, and still is, the normal Jewish form of greeting. On the Apos-
tles’ lips it is meant to have a deeper meaning—to be a sign of God’s blessing
which Jesus’ disciples, who are His envoys, pour out on those who receive them.
The commandment our Lord gives here affects not only this specific mission; it is
a kind of prophecy which applies to all times. His messenger does not become
discouraged if His word is not well received. He knows that God’s blessing is ne-
ver ineffective (cf. Isaiah 55:11), and that every generous effort a Christian makes
will always produce fruit. The word spoken in apostolate always brings with it the
grace of conversion: “Many of those who heard the word believed; and the number
of the men came to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4; cf. 10:44; Romans 10:17).
Man should listen to this word of the Gospel and believe in it (Acts 13:48; 15:7).
If he accepts it and stays faithful to it his soul is consoled, he obtains peace
(Acts 8:39) and salvation (Acts 11:4-18). But if he rejects it, he is not free from
blame and God will judge him for shutting out the grace he was offered.
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
Liturgical Colour: Red.
First reading |
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Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3 © |
He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith |
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Responsorial Psalm |
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Psalm 97(98):1-6 © |
Gospel Acclamation | cf.2Th2:14 |
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Or: | Mt5:12a |
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Gospel | Matthew 5:1-12 © |
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How happy are the poor in spirit |
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