Sunday Gospel Reflection
"He who loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me"
Introduction:
Paul's admonition in Galatians 6:10, makes a great introduction to the
issue of hospitality; "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men,
and especially to those who are of the household of faith." How we treat others is a
picture window into the condition of our own soul. Our gracious treatment, or
lack there of, reveals a great deal about how we feel about our selves. It also reveals
our perspective on others and whether we see them as Christ sees them, or whether we see
them as people who deserve to simply be treated as their behavior warrants. More
importantly it reveals our devotion to Christ and our willingness to let His desires and
interests exceed our own self-interest.
Our hope is that the Father will not treat us as we deserve to be treated, but will respond to us in mercy (not giving us that which we deserve) and in grace (giving us that which we do not deserve) based on the fact that we know and love His Son, Jesus, the Christ. In the same manner, Jesus does not expect us to treat others as they deserve, but to treat them with mercy and grace even as we have been treated by Him. That's why Jesus taught his disciples, and us, to pray "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Imagine how drastically different the world would be if mercy (not giving people the punishment which they deserve) and grace (giving them the love which they don't deserve) prevailed in all our dealings with others. How quickly some behavior would disappear, and be replaced by eagerly seizing opportunities to express love, compassion, and service to others.
Jesus' words, "for as much as you do it to one of these you do it to me," would become the watch word for how we relate to others. This is especially true in respect to how we treat other Christians in whom Christ dwells, for in reality our treatment of others either honors or dishonors Christ to whom the other person is precious. Likewise, Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" should move us to treat all people with a similar attitude. For we do not know, and cannot know, if maybe the person we encounter has in fact been sent by God. Though one thing we can know, if we are believers, is that we have been sent by God, and represent Him to each person we encounter.
"Without love, the outward work is of no value; but whatever is done out of love, be it ever so little, is wholly fruitful. For God regards the greatness of the love that prompts a man, rather than the greatness of his achievement. Whoever loves much, does much. Whoever does a thing well, does much. And he does well, who serves the community before his own interest" (Thomas à Kempis in The Imitation of Christ.)
First Reading : 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16
8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who
urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat
food.
9 And she said to her husband, "Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man
of God, who is continually passing our way.
10 Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a
chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there."
11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there.
. . .
14 And he said, "What then is to be done for her?" Gehazi answered, "Well,
she has no son, and her husband is old."
15 He said, "Call her." And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway.
16 And he said, "At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a
son..."
Second Reading: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised
from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
...
8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer
has dominion over him.
10 The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:37-42
37 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38 and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will
find it.
40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one
who sent me.
41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and
whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's
reward.
42 And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because
he is a disciple--amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."
Bible Study
37 "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me,"
---- Luke 14:26 says "hate" father and mother;
these words here soften that understanding for us. Luke actually says the same thing as
Matthew. Aramaic had no other way of saying "love less" than "hate"
and one writing from that perspective would use those words. The word of God in fact leads
to these divisions mentioned here. It can lead, even within families, to those who embrace
the faith being regarded an enemies by relatives who resist the word of truth. These words
do not set up any opposition between the first and fourth commandments; they simply
indicate the order of priorities.
37b and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38 and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of
me.
-----This is the first time Matthew uses the word
"cross." Other allusions to the passion are found in this gospel before Matthew
predicts it openly. Crucifixion was a method of execution of Oriental origin which the
Romans adopted and perfected for rebels and slaves. Roman law prohibited its use on a
Roman citizen. The use of the cross as a Christian symbol makes it difficult for the
reader to grasp the harshness of this saying when it was initially uttered. The personal
renunciation implied will go far beyond renunciation of one's family.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for
my sake will find it.
40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who
sent me.
------This explains the nature of the apostolic office using the
legal principle governing a Jewish emissary: "A man's agent is like himself." It
deepens the religious basis of the apostolate by deriving it ultimately from God the
Father Himself.
41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a
prophet's reward,
------A prophet's mission is not essentially one of announcing
future events; his main role is that of communicating the word of God as he monitors the
status of the covenant relationship of the people with God. Prophets were mistreated on
earth but rewarded in heaven for their loyalty to God.
41b and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will
receive a righteous man's reward.
------The very fact of generously receiving God's friends
will gain one the reward that they obtain.
42 And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little
ones to drink because he is a disciple--amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his
reward."
------Even those who give a glass of cold water - an alms, or any other
small service - will receive a reward because he has shown generosity to our Lord Himself
(Matthew 25:40).
Meditation
What takes first place in your life? The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or anything else above God is a form of idolatry. esus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than spouse or kin. It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies, if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do. True love for God also compels us to express charity towards our neighbor who is created in the image and likeness of God. Mother Theresa of Calcutta told a marvelous story of a destitute family who had not eaten for days. When they came to the home of the Missionary Sisters of Charity requesting help, Mother Theresa took some food to the family. The mother immediately divided the food in half and carried it off. When she returned, Mother Theresa asked her, "Where did you go?" She gave the simple answer, "To my neighbors, they are hungry also!" Mother Theresa said, "I was not surprised that she gave - poor people are really very generous. I was surprised that she knew they were hungry. As a rule, when we are suffering, we are so focused on ourselves, we have no time for others." Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to the people of Christ will not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in need who asked for his help. As his disciples we are called to be kind and generous as he is. Jesus sets before his disciples the one goal in life that is worth any sacrifice and that goal is the will of God which produces real life and ultimate and completely satisfying peace. Does the love of Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (2 Corinthians 5:14)?
Reflections:
· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you.
· Where is God in your life?
. and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is
not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38)
-----What are the obstacles that hinder your from being a good disciple?
. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life
for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)
-----What do you gain when you follows Jesus?
-----Why does Jesus want you to forsake yourself to follow him?
. "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever
receives me receives the one who sent me.Whoever receives a prophet because he is a
prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he
is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. (Matthew 10:41-42)
-----What are your attitudes toward the people who are
"different" (in lifestyle, belief, culture, educational background,...) from
you?
-----What do you have to do to see Christ in others?
. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these
little ones to drink because he is a disciple--amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose
his reward." (Matthew 10:42 )
------What have you found helpful to enable you to move from being
self-serving to serving others?
To live His Word this week:
· Donate some of your clothes and/or other possessions to charity in helping the poor
For Youngsters:
. Do not say a bad word when talking with your friends at church or at school.
Prayer
Lord, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has conceived the things you have prepared for those who love you. Set us ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may love you in and above all things and so receive the rewards you have promised us through Christ our Lord. (from A Christian's Prayer Book)