NOTES for Mat 10:9-15

In Christ's instruction to the disciples, which we read today, there are a number of important aspects worth noting. Thus, the Lord tells the disciples, when coming to one city or another, to find out who is worthy to receive their word. In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord speaks a strikingly memorable phrase: "Do not give what is holy to dogs," that is, do not offer holy things to those who do not need them and for whom they are not holy. The words "inquire who in it is worthy" appear to say the same thing. The witness of Christ's disciples is addressed to all, but under no circumstances should it be imposed on those who have no need of it at all.

In recent decades people have placed on the Church expectations and claims connected with its ability to serve the moral formation of society. Of course, Christ's disciples have something to say about this, but that word can hardly be addressed to those who do not need it, who do not want to think about the moral content of life. In fact, Christ's disciples have nothing with which to frighten the crowds (the masses, as people used to say) into taking the path of good: they can only bear witness to those who themselves need it.

Further, the Lord commands the disciples to give blessing and peace, but not to seek to ensure that their word is accepted. This is fundamentally important, because this is precisely what distinguishes the disciples' witness from ideology: Christianity is impossible without respect for human freedom.