Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus sends out his disciples to proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. One of the central parts of Jesus directives involves sharing peace with the people that the disciples encounter. We are also called to bring God’s peace to the world, since it is this peace that is an important part of bringing the Kingdom of heaven to earth.
The disciples are commissioned in today’s gospel to bring God’s grace, healing, and love to others. When they enter a home, the disciples are instructed to wish peace, and if the people are worthy, peace will remain. For those who refuse to listen and receive the Good News, the disciples are told to “shake the dust” off of their feet. No peace will be received by these people and towns, since they choose not to welcome the Kingdom of heaven.
Our world today is shattered by war, violence and hatred. Jesus sends us forth to bring peace to the world around us. How do we bring peace, and what do we do if others reject our offer? Peace is central to God’s kingdom, and that peace begins with compassionate love for others. When we respect others, even those we find difficult to love, we allow the opportunity for understanding and connection to arise. When we stop seeing people as “other” and begin to see them as brothers and sisters, then we allow God’s grace and peace to permeate our relationships and peace can flourish.
Unfortunately, there are people in our world, who do not want to see or accept our human connection or the fact that we are all made in the image of God. When we are faced with these individuals, we are called not to lash out in anger or judgment, but merely to “shake off the dust from our shoes”. These people may not accept the peace of God that we bring, but we can continue to love them and pray for their change of heart.
Bringing God’s peace was not easy for the disciples, and it is not easy for us. We must trust that God will lead us and provide all the necessary provisions that we need on our journey- wisdom, strength, love and mercy. In the daily encounters at home, work, and school, or throughout our day, we can strive to see God in the people around us. When we live from this vantage point, then we can bring peace to every situation, and we can begin to build the Kingdom of heaven in our midst.
Today pray for the grace to be bearers of God’s peace in all that we think, say and do.
-Marylynn Herchline