Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 8, 2021
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the 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 laborer 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.”
In this gospel, we see Jesus telling his disciples to travel lightly while sharing the gifts God has given them with others. In telling them “do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,” he is reminding them that they do not need many material things. They have already been equipped by God with what they need to spread the Good News.
As a parent, the message to “travel lightly” seems nothing short of impossible. I’m sure all the other parents out there can relate to the idea of the well-intentioned idea of taking an overnight trip somewhere fun with the kids only to spend three hours packing six bags and inevitably forgetting someone’s favorite naptime bunny!
When this happened recently with my son, we thankfully were able to get him to sleep with a backrub instead. Sometimes we are like little children, thinking that something non-essential is absolutely necessary. This reading reminds us that God already equips us with the gifts and graces to live a holy life.
What are the things in our lives that distract us from doing God’s will in the world? While my son may pay attention to the shiny toys or material gifts in his life, he truly finds what he needs in my warm hugs, reassuring smile, and the knowledge that I will always be there for him. Like Jesus’ apostles, we are called to go out and be Christ’s presence to all people. We can be encouraged by the fact that we already have everything we need.
Prayer
God, source of life, help us to live in your peace. May we be your healing presence for those who are suffering, your welcoming presence to those who are strangers. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple from the early Church, well-known in Scripture for being “co-workers in Christ” with St. Paul—even allowing their home to be used as a local church.
Associating with Paul, the couple traveled with him throughout the region, living in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. Paul used their home as a headquarters during his journeys, and they would open their house as a gathering place for the Church wherever they lived. At one point, Paul says, they “risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I am grateful but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Rom 16:4).
Aquila was a tent-maker, a trade he shared with Paul. We do not know if Paul brought them to faith in Christ, or if they were already Christians when they met Paul. It is certain, however, that they were pillars of the early Church. They instructed others in the faith and their hospitality gave early Christians a place to break bread together and remember Jesus’ words and deeds.
The relics of Sts. Priscilla and Aquila rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
Sts. Priscilla and Aquila, you worked with Paul and gave a home to the early Church—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Sts. Priscilla and Aquila is available for use under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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