Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 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 life 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 reward. 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.

 

Generally when we think of the gospel message from Jesus, we think of love and joy and hope. Jesus’ words usually instill compassion for his fellow man. However, today’s gospel message appears to be rather harsh and condemning. Jesus tells us: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.” Why would Jesus want us to take up a sword against our parents or to be in opposition to our families? This does not sound like a person who came in peace to love and serve the world, but one who wants to start a war. Not only was Jesus sent to love the world, he was also sent to defeat the powers of evil and free us from darkness. Jesus is trying to tell us that our true salvation comes from obedience to Him and that we must follow Him no matter what the cost. We must open our hearts to hear the Word of the Lord and not let others lead us astray, not even our own families. The sword that we must take up is not a sword of steel, but the Holy Scriptures. We must be willing to take up our cross and follow him no matter what happens to us.

 

The gospel message goes on to have a very positive message: “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. 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.” Christ asks us to find good in the world. We must seek good and not evil; we must look for the good in everyone. We must try to find the good in the least of our brothers. Not only will this make you a better person, it will bring you closer to Christ. Christ came to help us find the way, the truth, and the life. By seeking the righteousness and goodness in people, we are showing them the truth and the way. The true love expressed by God is for everyone and we must express that same love. We are not only asked to love our families and our best friends, but those who are difficult to love. If we give to others, Christ tells us that we will be rewarded in heaven. We are not called to serve ourselves but to serve God, for he who serves God will celebrate with our Father in Heaven.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, lead me to you.

May I be obedient to you;

May my actions and words be pleasing;

Help me to find the goodness in others

So I can receive the rewards that you promised.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon