Matthew 10:7-16
Jesus was probably one of the most counter cultural people that ever lived. I think there would be a strong argument to support Jesus as the prototype for most of the most positive advances in human relations.
As people of faith we are called to also be counter cultural. But when you think about equality, welcoming strangers or turning the other cheek, none of them involve expenditures of money. In fact, this reading would have us steer away from anything to do with money. In dealing with the secular world we need money but in all things religious, what we have been given and what we give to others should not involve money.
It really makes me wonder what fundamentalist Christian televangelists say to themselves about the very well appointed lives they live. The same questions I would raise to any local diocesan priest who drives a fancy car, get three squares, no lifting and has an extra house in the hampton's. Does this reading fall on deaf ears? I do note the new Pope's simple lifestyle, what a role model.
How do you and I respond to this reading? Is it judgmental as I may have just sounded? Are we, who are given countless gifts of love and grace ( all free ) supposed to respond to that love and grace? How? Should we throw money at a problem we see? Donate to a worthy cause? Probably yes but that is not the message here. We must not fall into the trap of throwing money at problems, even out of love, and allow ourselves to think we have satisfied our obligations or even simply our desire to help.
This evening I sat with a man who lost his wife. He was humbled and astounded at the number
of people that showed up at the wake. He was stunned by the outpouring of love, flowers and emotional support. This good man did not receive this outpouring because he paid anything. It was his life, well lived with abundant love that was being returned to him in kind. No money was to change hands. This was love and caring as God intends it, as this reading is speaking about.
If you think of the absolute best things in life, none involve money
Jesus was probably one of the most counter cultural people that ever lived. I think there would be a strong argument to support Jesus as the prototype for most of the most positive advances in human relations.
As people of faith we are called to also be counter cultural. But when you think about equality, welcoming strangers or turning the other cheek, none of them involve expenditures of money. In fact, this reading would have us steer away from anything to do with money. In dealing with the secular world we need money but in all things religious, what we have been given and what we give to others should not involve money.
It really makes me wonder what fundamentalist Christian televangelists say to themselves about the very well appointed lives they live. The same questions I would raise to any local diocesan priest who drives a fancy car, get three squares, no lifting and has an extra house in the hampton's. Does this reading fall on deaf ears? I do note the new Pope's simple lifestyle, what a role model.
How do you and I respond to this reading? Is it judgmental as I may have just sounded? Are we, who are given countless gifts of love and grace ( all free ) supposed to respond to that love and grace? How? Should we throw money at a problem we see? Donate to a worthy cause? Probably yes but that is not the message here. We must not fall into the trap of throwing money at problems, even out of love, and allow ourselves to think we have satisfied our obligations or even simply our desire to help.
This evening I sat with a man who lost his wife. He was humbled and astounded at the number
of people that showed up at the wake. He was stunned by the outpouring of love, flowers and emotional support. This good man did not receive this outpouring because he paid anything. It was his life, well lived with abundant love that was being returned to him in kind. No money was to change hands. This was love and caring as God intends it, as this reading is speaking about.
If you think of the absolute best things in life, none involve money
As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.
‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
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