Thursday of week 14 in Ordinary Time
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, Martyrs
Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15In today’s Gospel (Matthew 10:7–15), Jesus sends out His disciples with a clear mission: “Proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand… Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without charge; give without charge.” These words reveal the very heart of missionary discipleship. Everything we have received from Christ, faith, forgiveness, grace, hope, the sacraments, and the gift of salvation, is pure gift. None of it has been earned or purchased. Therefore, the Gospel can never become something we possess for ourselves or use for personal gain. A true missionary is one who freely shares what has been freely received. This generosity is not limited to priests or religious but belongs to every baptized Christian. We are called to give our time, compassion, forgiveness, encouragement, and witness without calculating the cost or expecting something in return. The memorial of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions reminds us that many disciples gave even their lives without reserve because they understood that Christ had first given Himself completely for them. The more deeply we recognize that everything is grace, the more freely we will become instruments of God’s generosity, making His Kingdom visible through lives that are marked not by possession, but by self-giving love. Let’s reflect: Do I recognize that everything I have received from Christ is a free gift, and do I generously share His love, mercy, and hope with others without expecting anything in return?
Don Giorgio