Trust in providence

Today’s Gospel Text:  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 paying, 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 Gomor'rah than for that town. Matt 10:7-15

Reflection: One of the criteria's to discern the work of God is the attitude towards money and wealth by those who are laboring in the vineyard of God.

Jesus’ clear instruction on giving is this: “You received without paying, give without pay.”

Hence, it is enjoined on the ministers of God's gifts that they labor without expectations from people and individuals.

God is the provider on whom the dedicated disciple is supposed to be dependent on and hence Jesus even asks him to; “take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. (vs. 9-10)

It requires faith to take a step in total trust; for such is the demand placed on the dedicated disciple of Christ when sent on a mission to proclaim the word.

This is no excuse for those who have been given by the Lord so as not to support this great task.  

The crux of the issue is this: Total dependency on the part of the dedicated disciples, in the Lord and in his providence, when they are ministering the gifts of grace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Could the lack of faith in the Lord and his words be one of the reason why the gospel has suffered in our time?

Our modern education makes us doubt everything and anything and all that seems good, except oneself. Likewise the formation on the word of God. 

How much can we trust ourselves and in the process trust the deceptive knowledge that comes our way and believe in what cannot be easily trusted?

God is the surest person to trust and so too his word is true, no matter how foolish it may appear to the rational mind.

Prayer:  God our Father, prepare my heart to trust in your providence and care.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us