I love this commentary from Scott Hahn and Mark Shea, posted with to-day's reading on the Diocese of Lansing's web: Matthew 10:
In the tenth chapter of his Gospel, Matthew continues the theme of shepherding lost sheep. Jesus reveals that the message of the kingdom of heaven first is to be preached to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Even though the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, God hasn't forgotten them. Jesus comes as the Father's emissary, sent to seek and save the lost. In God's divine plan, Jesus chooses 12 of his disciples to help him continue his own mission: “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (Jn 20:21). The road to restoring humanity to divine sonship isn't easy. Disciples of Jesus can expect to encounter many dangers and trials. Because of this, they must be equipped with the heart, mind and power of their master. To be an apostle — a word that means “one who is sent” —one first must be a disciplined learner. Once Christians grasp the fact that they're joining God in an all-out search-and-rescue effort to bring back the Father's lost children, they'll be able to face trials and tribulations with true apostolic zeal.
'...equipped with the heart, mind and power of their (M)aster.'
Perfect Father, soften our hearts, that we might carry on with true apostolic zeal, to bring back Your lost children. Give us the grace to accept our mission as sent disciples; open our hearts so that we become disciplined learners. In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.
The Twelve Disciples
1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
The Mission of the Twelve
5 These Twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Coming Persecutions
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly,
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-elzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Whom to fear
26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Taking Up One's Cross
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. "
So much in this chapter! And much of it speaks contrary to our yuletide mantra of peace on earth. Jesus says 'have no fear of them' that would flog in the synagogue and deliver unto death; rather, fear He Who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Wow. He who does not 'take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.' Wow.
I think about all the things I fear (and I would be too ashamed to name them here), and then see Christ's words in this chapter and am really humbled. There is much in my worldview that needs adjusting, to be sure.
Forgive me, LORD, for being so scared. Forgive me for seeking after my self instead of seeking You and Your Kingdom. Forgive me for not having the fortitude to accept my mission, and to take my cross daily. And forgive me when I haven't received a righteous man, or a prophet, or one of these little ones. To-day is a new day, a new beginning; and I thank You and praise You for being the God of new beginnings. All glory, honor and praise to You, God In Three Persons! Alleluia, alleluia!
Bible Commentary; Scott Hahn and Mark Shea, Gospel of Matthew, ed. Jennifer Phelps, Catholic Scripture Study (Charlotte, NC: Catholic Scripture Study International, 2007), 91.
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
