Breaking the Word

14^th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 8^th July 2022 — Gospel: Mt 10,16-23

Be Vulnerable

When Jesus sends us to bear witness to Him in the world, he does not send us out as dominant and strong, but as weak and defenseless. As sheep in the midst of wolves, Jesus expects us to walk fearless toward wolves and not away from them. With His strength, Jesus exhorts us to transform wolves into sheep, but doesn’t expect us, the sheep to turn as wolves. In sending the vulnerable sheep, Jesus cautions that we will be treated the way wolves treat sheep. The wolves will deliver the sheep to courts and the sheep will suffer persecution from both religious and secular authorities, as well as resistance and division within families. However, since all authority belongs to Jesus, he might intervene and shut the mouths of the wolves, like God did the mouths of the lions that surrounded Daniel. In the face of tribulations, Jesus urges us to trust in the guidance of God’s Spirit and in the Father’s providential care. Even though the sheep are proverbially stupid, Jesus counters that notion by saying “be wise as serpents”. So vulnerability, not stupidity, is the point of calling us sheep. Be like snakes, not sheep, when it comes to being smart. For the snakes are quick to get out of danger. In the midst of wolves, be innocent as doves, which is to keep your reputation as clean as you can. And so both the snake-intelligence and the dove-innocence are both designed to keep the vulnerable sheep out of trouble.

14^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 7^th July 2022 — Gospel: Mt 10,7-15

Gifts of Being in Relationship

Jesus advices his apostles then and now, “give what you have received, and trust that God will take care of you.” At the start of the mission, Jesus has already given to his disciples so much, above and beyond what they could ever have expected. They have been gifted by their relationship with Jesus. Now Jesus sends them forth to share with others the gifts they have received from him, so that others can be gifted in a similar way. They are not to expect to be paid by those to whom they minister. They have already received greater gifts than anyone else could give. In their journey, they are to give up money, travelling accessories, and extra clothes. As they leave home, they are to rely on God’s providence. As they share the Good News of Jesus, God will provide for them. They need only to trust in God and the power of God’s word.