The labourer deserves his keep

At 11,21b-26; 13,1-3; Ps 97; Mt 10,7-13
11 JUNE

Every Word of the Gospel adds to the other Words of the Gospel the truth that gives them entire fullness. Jesus says to look for the kingdom of God and its justice. The rest will be given in excess. When one is in the Gospel, the blessing of the Lord is superabundant.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil (Mt 6,25-34).

Jesus says that those who leave everything to follow him and consecrate their life to the mission receive a hundred times as much and in addition eternal life will be given to them in heaven.

Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first (Mt 19,27-30).

St. Paul reveals that he did not want to be of any weight to anyone. He preached the Gospel freely to everyone. The Lord has always assisted, helped and supported him.

Whoever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating its produce? Or who shepherds a flock without using some of the milk from the flock? Am I saying this on human authority, or does not the law also speak of these things? It is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is God concerned about oxen, or is he not really speaking for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the ploughman should plough in hope, and the thresher in hope of receiving a share. If we have sown spiritual seed for you, is it a great thing that we reap a material harvest from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more? Yet we have not used this right. On the contrary, we endure everything so as not to place an obstacle to the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who perform the temple services eat (what) belongs to the temple, and those who minister at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel (Cf. 1Cor 9,1-27).

Jesus sends his Apostles on a mission, commanding them not to bring anything, but only the clothes they wear. His Father will provide them with everything.

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. 

If the Father nourishes and dresses those who seek the kingdom of God and its justice, might he abandon to themselves those who consecrate their whole life to the Gospel for its diffusion? He will give them everything not for charity, but for justice. They work for his Son, his Kingdom and He gives them what and more than is necessary.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that we believe in the perfect justice of our God.