“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Monday, 11th July 2016,
Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Memorial of St. Benedict, Abbot.
Is 1:10-17;
Ps 49:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23;
Mt 10:34-11:1
THE DEMANDS OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP!
The gospel is without compromises, there is no middle of the road or halfway following of Jesus; his gospel calls us to take definite stands. The gospel passage of today is taken from the speech of Jesus given to his apostles before sending them for a mission. The text of the day is clearly divided into two parts with each of them dealing with different aspects of the mission.
The first part presents the demand of Jesus to anybody who wants to follow him. Mark the very hard language used in these verses. Jesus demands incredibly radical renunciation; and as if it were not enough he ends his demands by repeating three times “is not worthy of me”. From anybody wanting to be his disciple he demands the giving up of all the dearest and natural affection, such as the love for one’s parents and children. Jesus is not contradicting the commandment to honor your father and mother but he is stating clearly that he cannot accept people who pledge themselves only half-heartedly or only for some time. He demands the courage to give up all material support and security, for love of the gospel. The disciple should be ready not just to lose everything but also to give up life itself.
Christ confronts people with a clear cut choice, either for or against him. Christianity is not for slackers. It demands commitment, it demands service to our fellow men and especially to the poor and the oppressed. There is no room for compromises in following of Christ. No double standards. Only single minded devotion and whole hearted acceptance. The second part of the gospel contains an extraordinary promise - our reward, and our fulfillment. “I promise you that whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones he will most certainly not lose his reward.”
Prayer: Jesus, help me to follow You whole heartedly. Amen.
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