Thursday, 14^th week in ordinary time – 9^th July 2026 – Matthew 10:7-15

The apostles, having been chosen, are sent on mission. The first part of the mission discourse focuses on the call or commissioning to mission. Interestingly the apostles are ‘sent’ to preach the good news but what they will experience and have to accept, is that the good news comes with a lot of bad news. Jesus is emphatic; the call to mission has no rose garden along with the sunshine. Jesus did not promise His messengers a safe passage, only a guaranteed destination.

The mandate of the apostles comes from the authority of Jesus himself. What strikes us right away is that the mission begins with the task of proclamation.  Verse 7 establishes that preaching the Kingdom is the primary necessity, not an optional afterthought. It is later in verse eight they are also told of the mighty works that they were to perform. Preaching tells the world that God is speaking; healing proves that God is actually present.

Proclamation is key to ministry. Sadly, a poster that announces a well know ‘healer’ will draw crowds that are packed to the rafters; a Bible class may only have a few souls in attendance. The principal task of the apostles and the Church is to proclaim the Good News.

Jesus also shares great power with these mostly unlettered simple twelve. He gave them authority over unclean spirits and to cast then out (10:1) to cure the sick, to raise the dead, cleanse the leper and cast out demons. The greatest wonder in Galilee was not that a leper was cleansed, but that fishermen were trusted with the authority of the Almighty.

Imagine the excitement in a little village when the apostles raised someone from the dead.  All of a sudden, these twelve ordinary men would be viewed with great awe, reverence and honour. Imagine Galilee abuzz; a child raised from the dead by Peter, a leper healed by John, a sick woman cured by Bartholomew and Judas Iscariot casting out a demon.

Did that last name make you sit up wondering if you heard right? Did Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Our Lord, really cast a demon out? Well, the Bible does not say that explicitly but it does say that ALL the twelve apostles were given these powers equally so we can’t rule out that Judas Iscariot did not cast a demon or even raise some one from the dead. Yet, a man to whom great authority was given by Our Lord could also end up being his betrayer. We too, like Judas could cast out a demon from another person’s body while keeping our own heart chained to darkness. St Augustine cautions us all when he wrote, “there go I but for the love of God.”

The text also tells us that Jesus gives his apostles several instructions. When read together, the instructions have a single purpose; any minister who is called to service cannot be encumbered by baggage. Extra provisions do not facilitate the mission; they slow it down by shifting the missionary’s focus from the Provider to the provisions.

The call to mission must be marked with a sense of faith in the providence of God. While money, provisions and several sets of clothing would make the journey comfortable they would also be the cause of distraction and delay. The one sent out must mark his journey with unwavering trust in God.

Finally, having arrived at the place of mission, the apostle is called to do due diligence with the residence he adopts. The power given to the apostles could be misused by those who wish to align themselves with the apostles; not for the sake of the Gospel but for personal gain. It is something that could happen today too.  It is for this reason that Jesus says, “Whatever town of village you enter find out who in it is worthy”.

Interestingly Jesus stayed and visited several homes during his ministry. This also included the homes of tax collectors and sinners, the home of Simon the Pharisee, the home of Martha and Mary and even the home of Zacchaeus the chief tax collector. When we use the word ‘worthy’ we get a sense that the house chosen to live in should be one of good standing. That may not exactly be mind of Jesus. For Jesus, a “worthy” home is not one of flawless social standing, but one with an open door and a repentant heart. A house becomes worthy the moment it welcomes the Word, not because it boasts the finest linens in the village.

At the same time Jesus forbids His apostles from hospitality-shopping because a minister looking for the best room has already forgotten the lost soul. Jesus wants the apostles to acknowledge the kindness and the hospitality that they have received.

Jesus suggests that a gift could be given to express their thanks. This gift is not some fancy car or a better job for the son of the family but rather he suggests a spiritual gift be given. Jesus said, “If the house is worthy let your peace come upon it.” Earthly wealth changes a family’s comfort, but divine peace changes their composure in the face of crisis.

 Interestingly the gift of peace is not the gift of a conflict free home, rather the gift of peace is the gift that helps the members of the family face every storm that breaks upon it and face it with the grace and faith.

It would be interesting if the apostles came to our neighbourhood today. They would have to ask around as to who in the community was ‘worthy’ of lodging with. We would need to ask ourselves if we would be considered worthy of such an honour. Would I lay a plate at table, knowing that Peter would definitely sup at my house?

Not all accept the Good News. To those who reject the Good News as preached by the apostles, Our Lord suggests a sign of rejection as a warning of what is to come to them. Such will be their rejection that not even the dust from that town should cling to the sandals of the apostles. Sodom and Gomorrah would have it easier on judgment day than those who spurn the Good News of Jesus.

We have got used to embracing the idea of Jesus who is sweet and mild. This is the myth of the mild Savior. A Jesus who never loses His temper is an idol of our own making, not the Messiah of the Gospels. We have domesticated the Lion of Judah into a pet, forgetting that holy love carries a holy fury.  Christ’s mildness is an invitation to repentance, not a license for our complacency.