“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Sunday, 2nd July 2017.
Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
2 Kgs 4: 8-11, 13-16;
Ps 88: 2-3, 16-19;
Rom 6: 3-4, 8-11;
Mt 10: 37-42.
NEW HOUSE, NEW FAMILY WITH HIM
The Hebrew word house does not indicate only the building but also the family. Man can’t do without this double house: “Some things you cannot live without: water, bread, clothes and a house for shelter” (Sir 29:21). However, one who wants to start a new family, is required to separate from his own home: “A man leaves his father and mother and is attached to his wife, and with her becomes one flesh.” (Gen 2:24). It is a leaving behind of one house and moving into a new house or family. Jesus too abandons his home of Nazareth, “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Mt 8:20). He left his family: ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ and moved into a new family ‘Look! Here are my mother and my brothers’ (Cf. Mt 12:48-50). To those who want to follow Jesus, he asks the same responsibility: the courage to take a break, to take the flight toward a higher reality, to be introduced in a new home, in a new family, the family of God’s children.
In the First Reading, we see Prophet Elisha blesses a married couple, already advanced in years and no children with a promise of a son. Knowing that Elijah came from far away and that he was homeless and without family, she welcomed him and shared his mission. The lady, obviously rich enough, could have simply given a bit of money to Elisha, but she did not just hand him some help, she welcomed him into their home, she wanted him to feel as a member of her family. The woman’s gesture is pleasing to God, announces his word, and grants her the greatest joy she could aspire: he gave her a son. Elisha represents the apostles who, even today, leave their land, family to devote themselves totally to the service of God and the gospel.
In the Second Reading, we see Baptism was a very common ritual in Jesus’ time. Those who followed the Baptist were baptized. It was a gesture that indicated a radical change of life: a death to the past and a rebirth. Even Christian baptism has basically the same meaning. The waters of the baptismal font were considered the waters of the womb of the community that generated new children of God. Paul says “Through baptism, we are buried with Christ so we begin walking in a new life”. If baptism is the day of rebirth, it also marks the beginning of a whole new moral life; the Christian cannot continue to do the things of the old life; he must consider himself “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus”.
In the Gospel, Matthew develops the mission of the disciples of Jesus. Firstly, Jesus’ demands of discipleship are presented in all their harshness. Radical and unprecedented renouncements are required. Each demand is accompanied by a severe and drastic refrain, “is not worthy of me!” Above all, Jesus demands from his disciple the radical departure even from the more intimate and natural affections, such as love for parents and for the children.
Jesus does not intend to deny the Torah of Moses, which commands to honor father and mother. In fact, he has repeatedly stressed the commandment (Mt 15:4). Matthew wrote his Gospel in a time of persecution. The disciples have often had the experience that, to remain faithful to Christ, they had to accept the breaking of ties with the people who matter most. The rabbis had made the decision to expel Jesus’ followers from the synagogues, and ordered them considered heretical, be disowned by their families. Jesus demands from the disciple the courage to remain without support, without protection, and without material security for the sake of his Gospel. Then, he continues with another request, even more dramatic: the willingness not only to lose it all but also to give up their lives.
The image of the cross refers to the inevitable consequences which goes to meet those who want to live according to the dictates of the Gospel: like the Master, he will meet the cross, that is, the hostility of the world. Even if life will not be removed with martyrdom, he must give it in a constant and generous self-sacrifice.
In the second part of the passage, a remarkable promise to those who welcome the preachers of the gospel is reported. “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me” (v. 40). This is like the welcome given to Elisha in the first reading. Whoever receives the prophet, for the fact of being a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward. Even a simple gesture of love as to offer a cup of cold water to a disciple, though small, with no appearance, no prestigious titles, will not remain unrewarded.
Thus, every true believer is called to give his/her contribution and support for those who dedicate themselves directly to the proclamation of the word of God. Every Christian is called to welcome to their family, such people who have renounced to having a “home”, to build a family, to be fully available to Christ and the brothers and sisters.
Reflect on how you are part of the family of God. Consider if you welcomed into your homes, those disciples of Christ like priests, religious brothers and sisters and lay people, who with undivided hearts have renounce their family, their ambitions to be available to your spiritual and other needs. Ministers of the Word, reflect if you have genuinely given Jesus priority in your life. Let us join together to build the family of Christ.