Gospel Reading: Mt 10:34 – 11:1
Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set/ a man against his father,/ a daughter against her mother,/ and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;/ and one’s enemies will be those of his 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 his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his for my sake will find it.
“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 award. 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.”
When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
REFLECTION
I have come to set a man against his Father. Jesus seems to contradict his own teachings. It is so hard to keep a loving relationship with one’s parents. People often have problems with their parents and, as a result, hate anyone in authority.
Again let us not misinterpret Jesus. He is only demanding the disciples’ total commitment if they want to follow him. He is on a journey, and if they wish to join him, they must be prepared to severe even their legitimate relationships. Once they follow him, there is no turning back. They must not be distracted by family concerns; otherwise, they will fail as his followers. Jesus demands full-time disciples.
To meet Jesus’ expectations, the disciples should be single hearted. Jesus is thus brutally frank with those who propose to follow him. They should have strong determination so as not to fall away easily.
Not only relationships but also one’s life should be given up. The disciples must fight against the instinct of self-preservation.
To those who take up these challenges, Jesus promises a reward. They will recover what they have lost. The people who will treat them kindly will be rewarded.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
