You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives His disciples a mission. He says, “Go and proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Notice something interesting. Jesus doesn’t tell them, “Wait until you know everything.” He doesn’t say, “Go after ten years of training.” He simply says, “Go.” Then He tells them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons. That sounds impossible, doesn’t it?

But then Jesus says something that explains everything: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” That is the heart of today’s Gospel. You can’t give what you don’t have. Think about it. Can you give joy if you’ve never received God’s joy? Can you give mercy if you’ve never accepted His mercy? Can you speak about God’s love if you’ve never allowed yourself to be loved by Him? Everything the disciples are sent to do begins with what they have first received from Jesus.

The same is true for us. Sometimes we think being a Christian is about doing more. Jesus reminds us that Christianity begins with receiving. Receiving His forgiveness, His mercy, His peace. Only then can we give those gifts away.

Here’s another question. Why does Jesus tell them not to take gold, silver, or even an extra tunic? Is He saying money is bad? No. He is teaching them something deeper. Their security should not come from what they carry but from the One who sends them. That is a lesson we all need. We often think, “I’ll serve God when I have more money… more confidence… more time… more experience.” Jesus says, “Trust Me now.” Because the mission has never depended on how prepared we feel. It has always depended on His grace.

Finally, Jesus tells them that not everyone will welcome them. We often think that if we do God’s work, everyone should appreciate it. But Jesus prepares His disciples for rejection. Why? Because faithfulness is not measured by results. It is measured by obedience. Our job is not to change every heart. Our job is simply to witness to Christ with love. The Holy Spirit does the rest.

So today, maybe Jesus is asking each of us three simple questions: Have you received My love? Are you willing to share it freely? Will you trust Me enough to go wherever I send you? The Kingdom of Heaven is still at hand. And Jesus is still sending ordinary people to announce it. People like you. People like me.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for loving me before I ever deserved it. Thank You for the mercy, forgiveness, and hope You have freely given me. Help me never to keep these gifts to myself. Fill my heart so completely that Your love naturally flows into the lives of others. Teach me to trust You more than my own strength, and give me the courage to go wherever You send me. May my life proclaim that Your Kingdom is near. Amen.

– Homily by Rev Fr Patrick Agbeko