Give without Charge

July 9

Gospel

Matthew 10:7-15

You received without charge: give without charge

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.

‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’

Reflection

This passage invites us to ministry with freedom and reliance on God rather than on material provisions. Jesus commissions the Twelve to announce the nearness of the Kingdom, to bring healing, and to do so without charge. Their posture is one of trust: they go empty-handed so that the message and the power of God remain the focus, and they depend on the hospitality and discernment of those they encounter. The instruction to shake the dust off their feet when rejected speaks to accountability and discernment—proclaim boldly, but leave judgment and reception to God. In our own lives, this calls us to generosity, courage, and willingness to serve without clinging to security, trusting that God supplies what is needed for the mission.

For contemplation

In what ways might I be clinging to security or personal resources when I sense a call to serve others, and how can I practice a freer, more trusting stance like the disciples?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, grant me the spirit of generous reliance on You as I go to serve others. Help me proclaim Your kingdom with clarity, heal with compassion, and accept both hospitality and rejection with grace. Teach me to give without counting the cost and to trust that You provide for the needs of the work and the workers. May my actions reflect Your love and may my heart remain heeded by Your guidance. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Comments

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