The Gospel
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.”
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The theme of the previous Sunday continues with strength. But rather than simply continue that theme, ponder on this piece that is added to what was already proclaimed. What Jesus is driving us towards is consideration of priorities. Who holds the first place in our lives? What is our treasure? Who is the greatest love in our life? God demands a rather high bar of us. This Gospel tells us that if the answer to these questions is anything other than God, we need to examine our hearts and reorient our lives. The greatest gift is the gift of God, and all that flows into our lives as pure gift and divine grace. The first love of our hearts is to be none other than God. This does not mean that we should not love spouse or children or parents or anyone else. It does mean that we should always be mindful that all these are given to us by God. In loving them, and in serving them, we are called to love God first and to treasure our God the most.
Father Tim+
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