MATTHEW 10:7-15 FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED; FREELY GIVE

Year A, Thursday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time

As Jesus sends out the Twelve, He gives them a simple instruction: "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." Everything they have—their faith, their gifts, their mission—has first been given to them by God. Now they are to share it freely with others.

The same is true for us. Our life, our family, our faith, our talents, and even our hope are gifts from God. Yet it is easy to begin acting as though they belong only to us. We can become protective of our time, our resources, or even our compassion. We wait for the "right moment" to help someone, to forgive, to encourage, or to serve.

Jesus reminds us that disciples are not owners of God's gifts; we are stewards of them. The more generously we share what we have received, the more God's love becomes visible in the world. Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is not money or material things, but our presence, our patience, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement to someone who is struggling.

Perhaps today's Gospel invites us to ask ourselves: What have I freely received from God that He is asking me to freely give to someone else today? When we live with generous hearts, we become living witnesses that the Kingdom of God is truly at hand.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler

Father Leo