Let your peace come upon it
10 JULY (Mt 10,7-15)
Welcoming the one sent by Jesus and peace are one. However, the welcoming does not concern his body, but his spirit, his soul, the divine and spiritual wealth he brings with him. “Who receives you receives me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” The words of Jesus are of divine and eternal clearness. He does not receive the missionary who gives him a loaf of bread or a bed to rest. He hosts him, who welcomes the wealth of grace, truth and Holy Spirit that he hides in his heart. In the heart of the missionary must live one wealth: Christ the Lord.
Either the missionaries are containers and carriers of only Christ the Lord, or they are not his missionaries at all. Never might who carries himself and gives himself to others be said to be true missionary of the Gospel of grace and truth. He cannot, because he does not carry in his heart the live Author of these divine gifts. Since he is detached from the source of grace and truth, he is also separated from the source of peace. He can also be accepted for human reasons. But he might never fulfill the purpose for which he was sent. Never might he bring and leave peace in that house. He cannot because his heart is bare, devoid of the Prince of Peace, who is Christ the Lord.
A truth must be clear to our heart and our mind and must also be announced with clarity. Peace is not by prayer. God does not give peace because we ask him for it. If He gave it to us by prayer alone, we would not need Christ Jesus. God gave peace to humanity. It is his Only Son. Jesus Christ gave peace to men. His missionaries are the ones. It is they who must make it descend into the house of the world. How might it come down through them? Becoming they with Christ Jesus one mystery of grace, truth and holiness.
The missionaries of Jesus are this mystery. If they separate from it, they are no longer givers of the mystery and therefore not even givers of peace. Humanity remains in its eternal war. Even if humanity wanted peace, it could not get it in any way, because the only possible way is the missionary. He is the way and the gift of peace. He is the way and the gift of Christ. But Jesus Christ is not a parcel to take with you. He gives himself only one way: by becoming one with his missionary. If a house is devoid of peace, the responsibility is all of the missionary. He went alone to this house. He did not bring with him Lord Jesus. He gave himself, but not him, the Prince of Peace.
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.
Every disciple of Jesus is a missionary, a bearer and giver of Christ, the Prince and the Gift of the God of peace. Is it right then that we ask ourselves? Does who uses a gun, a cannon and a machine gun, bring Jesus in his heart? Does who drops atomic bombs or of any other nature, bring Jesus? Does who declares war on peoples and nations, bring Jesus? Does who is the enemy of his brothers bring Jesus? Does who lives only for himself and makes his life a treasure to be preserved in the casket of his riches, wealth, comforts of this world, bring Jesus? Does who tells lies, slanders, deceives his brothers, betrays them, accuses and condemns them, bring Jesus? Does who is envious, jealous, proud, arrogant, overbearing, insolent, stingy and without mercy, bring Jesus? The world is without peace because it is without true disciples of Jesus. He alone is the bearer and giver of true peace.
Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us givers of Jesus Christ.