SHAKE THE DUST FROM YOUR FEET

Hos 11,1-4.8c-9; Ps 79; Mt 10,7-15
12 JULY
The Apostles of Jesus and the ministers of the Gospel are responsible before God for eternity for every infidelity concerning the mission received. They are asked to announce to every man the Word of salvation just as it was delivered to them. Tomorrow they will have to give an account to God of every fault toward the mission. For each of their defects in the received mandate they will be submitted to trial. Why will they have to shake the dust off their sandals, in case they are not accepted or rejected? Shaking the dust is an attestation that the responsibility is now all of those who have not wanted the Word. Tomorrow, on the day of judgment, no one might accuse them of not having carried out the mission received with complete fidelity. In the Acts of the Apostles Saint Paul attests his innocence to those who are lost. The same Acts end with this statement of non-responsibility before the Jews.

On the following Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.'” The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the holy Spirit (At 13,44-52). So they arranged a day with him and came to his lodgings in great numbers. From early morning until evening, he expounded his position to them, bearing witness to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others did not believe. Without reaching any agreement among themselves they began to leave; then Paul made one final statement. “Well did the holy Spirit speak to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘Go to this people and say: You shall indeed hear but not understand. You shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people; they will not hear with their ears; they have closed their eyes, so they may not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them.’ Let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen” (At 28,23-28).

Today a terrible lie is going through the minds of Jesus’ disciples. They have decided not to proclaim the Gospel any more, to devote themselves to other more profitable works in terms of earthly consideration and glory. But they will not be judged by men tomorrow, but by Christ Crucified, by the Faithful to the Father until death.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The labourer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words – go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

The Christian does not depend on the will of the world, but only on the will of Christ Crucified. He sent him. He will have to account to Him for every lost soul. Not even those who propose surrender to the world will are the ones to judge, but only the Crucifix.

Most obedient Virgin, Angels and Saints help us to believe in our responsibility.