Daily Gospel Reflection for July 11, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Kerri Baunach

Today's Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15

Today Jesus sends the Apostles out to preach that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” and tells them to take nothing with them. Imagine going on a mission trip with no luggage or money! How will they get along?

In verse 10 of this passage, Jesus tells them “the laborer deserves his keep.” Initially, I got a bit hung up on this brief sentence. After discussing it further with someone, I realized that Jesus was telling the Apostles to rely totally on the hospitality of others. The Apostles are the laborers doing the hard work of preaching the Good News to the people of Israel. They are worthy of the hospitality of those whom they encounter.

How fitting that today is also the feast day of St. Benedict. One of the principles of the Benedictines is hospitality. St. Benedict tells us in his Rule that all guests “be received as Christ” and “let fitting honor be shown to all, especially . . . to travelers” (Chapter 53).

There are two sides to hospitality: offering it and accepting it. I often think about how I offer hospitality to others. Do I invite guests to my home or am I too concerned about the mess? Do I offer my time or talents to others enough? On the other side, do I accept hospitality readily when offered?

On the one hand, I need to look at all guests as Christ. No matter how my house looks, I wouldn’t refuse entry to Jesus, therefore I should welcome any guest in as I would Christ. On the other hand, most of us are independent-minded and often feel we aren’t living up to some unwritten standard if we accept help. We need to get over that and allow others to show hospitality to us.

Ponder:

How open are you in allowing others to show hospitality to you, and, conversely, how do you show hospitality to others?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, help me to always be mindful of the care I show to others and to be open to accepting hospitality from my family and friends when offered.

Copyright 2024 Kerri Baunach

Kerri Baunach lives in Lexington, KY, with her husband and three boys. She’s a Benedictine Oblate with the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana; attends the Traditional Latin Mass; and has written on her own, now-abandoned blog, for Catholic Sistas, and many Gospel Reflections for Catholic Mom.