‘You received without charge, give without charge.’
Matthew 10: 7-15
In today’s gospel Jesus details for his disciples what he considers necessary for them on their journey in the world. They need not carry anything but should look for trustworthy people for their accommodation. It seems to be a tall order and we ask ourselves how can this be possible?
If we take the passage literally we will find that our task is too difficult to accomplish. Upon reflection, however, we realize that what Jesus is telling us is that we should not depend on material things when we are on mission. We must not make excuses that we are lacking this or that, or that we cannot afford anything. He is showing us that we must not let the lack of material support hinder us from our work of evangelising.
We have to be as cunning as serpents when deciding with whom we should associate for if anyone does not want to listen to the word of God we are not to force them.