There are two different themes in today’s gospel. These two themes are mutually related. First: Jesus demands a radical discipleship. He says: “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.” These demands seem very radical and almost unthinkable for today’s people.
But in the history of Christianity we come across many heroic personalities who started their new ventures and new phase of their life with this radical attitude. They were first of all the apostles of Jesus who traveled to different parts of the world to preach the good news. Then many martyrs of the gospel belong to this group who had to loose their life because of their faith. Later many saints of Christianity like Francis of Assisi belong to them who renounced everything in order to follow Jesus. In the 20th Century saints like mother Theresa of Culcutta, Maximilian Kolbe or Bishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador belong to this group.
The demand and requirement to love God more than the father, mother or children do not seem to be so difficult because father, mother or children leave us with their death, but God is always with us and His presence we could feel in our heart always. When I think of my past I did not follow Jesus through martyrdom or radical following like Francis of Assisi but through regular celebration of the Eucharist, practice of the love of neighbour or deeds of mercy. I think such a following of Jesus is appropriate today. When I see many regular participants of the holy mass, who pray constantly and help the poor and the needy I am sure these people follow Jesus equally radical just like the radical followers of Jesus in the history of Christianity. A radical following must not necessarily mean today to do something extra ordinary but to live steadfast and consistent in day today life.
The second theme is present in the second part of today’s gospel. Jesus says: “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.
He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
That means our reward depends on the fact how we are helpful for our fellow human beings. For many people it is normal to be with and to be for those who are like them and to be friendly with such people. Jesus says that those who recognises and accepts the prophets and righteous get the reward of prophets and righteous. But the highest reward is promised to those who helps the poor and needy and to those who give even a cup of cold water to the disciples of Jesus. It means also that to help the persecuted Christians is a higher value and those who help them will be rewarded.
There are many people in different part of the world who are persecuted, marginalised, discriminated and killed because of their faith, religion, origin, etc. such people urgently need our help. Who help such people, who are at the side of these people such are the dear and beloved disciples of Jesus.
I would summarise these both themes of today’s gospel. The demand of Jesus for a radical discipleship could be fulfilled through our fidelity to Jesus and our steadfastness in following Jesus. To help the needy, suffering and persecuted Christians is our responsibility and obligation in oder to belong the group of the disciples of Jesus. Let us be true Christian’s and true disciples of Jesus.
Fr. Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS