Wednesday July 9, 2025

Matthew 10:1-7

Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’

This is one of the institutions given by Jesus which you would think should have been edited by the gospel writer. By the year 90 AD when this passage was written, the Christian message had reached Pagan territory. Hake the first council of the church (Council of Jerusalem-70AD) had already happened. Why leave this part in?

Well St Matthew is writing to a Jewish sector of the church. He does not know at this time that there will be a Bible or canon. His concern, his audience is the Jewish Christian Community. But we, the pagan territory, can learn from this. The message of the coming of the Kingdom has to be felt and heard in our own backyards. Our Lord often told people whom he healed to go HOME. Your toughest audience, the audience that will check your message is indeed your family. I have five brothers and one sister and we are as diverse in thought and conduct as the east is from the west. I know the challenges and blessings of going home and proclaiming.

Today maybe our Lord is asking us to show the fruits of the kingdom first within our families. Who needs to be understood? Who needs to be accepted? Is there one who cannot find ways of asking for forgiveness but they need to be forgiven. Who is hurt? Who needs to be challenged. Home can be tough but it purifies us.