The Gospel of Matthew 10;24-39
Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother,and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. 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; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
Let us Pray: Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our prayers on behalf of the church and the world. This we pray in The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen
This Gospel almost makes us wonder where Jesus is coming from. His words “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Where did the Jesus who preached Love go? The three characteristics that immediately came to most people’s minds are: GENTLE, FORGIVING, and LOVING.I think most of you think of Jesus in similar terms as well. So were these words meant to prepare His disciples as they went out into the world to tell of the Good News. Jesus expects them, despite opposition, to get the job done. Were the disciples being prepared to understand that spreading the word of Jesus would divide families, set members against each other. If they didn’t before, they would when he was finished. Fortunately, today most family units are not divided by different aspects of religion, where one believes something different than others. It does happen though and even though the heartbreak will change the relationship Jesus reminds us that the relationship with Him is greater than those that are dearest to us on earth. The gospel challenges traditions and social norms, and the upholders of these values strike out against those who challenge the status quo. Many times, the people striking out are parents, siblings and former friends, people who make the decision that the norms of the culture are more important to protect than close family members. We each know the consequences of standing against a popularly held social value or norm. It could be standing on either side of issues like war, abortion, torture, welfare reform, LGBTQ rights, capital punishment, or many other social concerns. If we have taken a stand on any issues like these, we know that it can cost us relationally – it can cost us family, community, and cultural relations. And, sometimes, we take these stands because we believe fervently one way or the other. Remember in last week’s Gospel Jesus sent his disciples out after He had given his twelve disciples authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. And He reminded them if they expected to share in His glory, they could also expect to inherit His sufferings. But even as He imparts foreboding words of warning to them, He also offers words of consolation whereby they could take courage. The message He offers extends to all of us even today. That even if a sparrow falls to the ground, they will not be apart from the Father, and you do not need to be afraid as you are of more value than many sparrows. The Lord Jesus teaches the magnificent lesson on the priceless treasure that we have in Christ. Christ is our priceless treasure and how God considers our worth as members of the kingdom of Christ Jesus attaches to this priceless treasure that teaching is our supreme worth as Christ’s followers, that is, our worth in the Kingdom of Christ. When you take up the cross of Jesus he is asking for total commitment. As you can see in all of this, the demands of discipleship are high, and so is the courage required. He who asks us to “lose” our lives for His sake, also offers us the strength we need to see this difficult life through. If we are to be disciples, disciples can suffer, but the Father knows and cares!
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father the light of your revelation brought the Disciples the gift of faith in Jesus your Son. Many have come to understand that faith and so we give thanks for the love and faith we have inherited in Christ Jesus, and for having been enriched by him in knowledge and love. This we pray in your Name. Amen
Reflections by Bob 