In western Christianity, today is the feast of “All Saints.”
However, in the east, we celebrate the unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian. And, today’s reading is a nod to them. They were doctors who healed free of charge, hence their title, “unmercenaries.”
However, in context, this passage is about Jesus sending out his disciple among Israel. In doing so, he tells them not to go to the Gentiles.
But why?
We have to remember that Jesus was starting a sort of reform—the same sort of reform the prophets had preached about. No longer was God limited to the Jerusalem Temple. Now, God is present among all his people.
It’s through faith, rather than animal sacrifice, we are healed from our sins.
But, like all “reforms,” this one starts from within. With a small group of people, Jesus is able to announce God’s Kingdom and new creation. And, as we know, this movement spreads from a small group and ends up engulfing the entire Roman empire.
Like Cosmas and Damian, we are called to continue to bring healing to the world. We are called to continue the mission started by the disciples.
The Reading
And, calling to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power: over impure spirits so as to exorcize them, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. . . . “Do not go forth on a road of the gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans; Go rather to the lost sheep of the household of Israel. And preach as you go along, saying that the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near. Heal the ailing, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, exorcize demons. You have received a free gift; give a free gift.” (Matthew 10:1, 5-8)