Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop
and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 389
Lectionary: 389
A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt.
He said to his subjects, "Look how numerous and powerful
the people of the children of Israel are growing, more so than we ourselves!
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase;
otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies
to fight against us, and so leave our country."
Accordingly, taskmasters were set over the children of Israel
to oppress them with forced labor.
Thus they had to build for Pharaoh
the supply cities of Pithom and Raamses.
Yet the more they were oppressed,
the more they multiplied and spread.
The Egyptians, then, dreaded the children of Israel
and reduced them to cruel slavery,
making life bitter for them with hard work in mortar and brick
and all kinds of field work—the whole cruel fate of slaves.
Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects,
"Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews,
but you may let all the girls live."
He said to his subjects, "Look how numerous and powerful
the people of the children of Israel are growing, more so than we ourselves!
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase;
otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies
to fight against us, and so leave our country."
Accordingly, taskmasters were set over the children of Israel
to oppress them with forced labor.
Thus they had to build for Pharaoh
the supply cities of Pithom and Raamses.
Yet the more they were oppressed,
the more they multiplied and spread.
The Egyptians, then, dreaded the children of Israel
and reduced them to cruel slavery,
making life bitter for them with hard work in mortar and brick
and all kinds of field work—the whole cruel fate of slaves.
Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects,
"Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews,
but you may let all the girls live."
Responsorial
PsalmPS 124:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8
R.(8a) Our
help is in the name of the Lord.
Had not the LORD been with us–
let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us–
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept
the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us
a prey to their teeth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers' snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Had not the LORD been with us–
let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us–
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept
the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us
a prey to their teeth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers' snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
AlleluiaMT 5:10
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 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.
"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.
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, please go here.
Meditation: "He who
loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me"
What does warfare and weapons, such as the sword,
have to do with the reign of God? Jesus came in peace to reconcile a
broken and sinful humanity with an all-merciful and loving God. Jesus
also came to wage war, to overthrow the powers and principalities arrayed
against God and his kingdom. What are these powers? Jesus describes
Satan as the ruler of this world whom he will cast out (John
12:31). The battle Jesus had in mind was not an earthly conflict between
nations, but a spiritual warfare between the forces of Satan and the armies of
God. The scriptures make clear that there are ultimately only two powers
or kingdoms — God's kingdom and the kingdom of darkness. John contrast
these two kingdoms in the starkest of terms: We know that we are of
God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one (1 John
5:19).
What does Satan seek? Satan opposes
God and all who would follow Christ. The evil one has but one aim — the
complete domination of our heart, mind, and will for his kingdom. And he
will use any means to draw us from good to evil, from truth to deception, from
light to darkness, and from life to death. There are no neutral parties
in this spiritual battle. We are either for or against the kingdom of
God. The choice is ours and God's grace is available to choose for his
rule in our lives.
When Jesus spoke about division he likely had in
mind the prophecy of Micah: a man's enemies are the men of his own
household (Micah 7:6). The love of God compels us to choose who will
be first in our lives. To place any relationship or anything else above
God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who
they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else
and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his
disciples give him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is
higher than spouse or kin. It is possible that family and friends can
become our enemies, if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God
wants us to do.
True love for God compels us to express
charity towards our neighbor who is created in the image and likeness of God.
Jesus declared that any kindness shown and any help given to the people of
Christ will not lose its reward. Jesus never refused to give to anyone in
need who asked for his help. As his disciples we are called to be kind
and generous as he is. Jesus sets before his disciples the one goal in life
that is worth any sacrifice and that goal is the will of God which produces
real life and ultimate and completely satisfying peace. Does the love of
Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (2 Corinthians
5:14)?
"Lord, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no
heart has conceived the things you have prepared for those who love you.
Set us ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may love you in and
above all things and so receive the rewards you have promised us through Christ
our Lord." (from A Christian's Prayer Book)
MONDAY, JULY 15, MATTHEW 10:34--11:1
(Exodus 1:8-14, 22; Psalm 124)
(Exodus 1:8-14, 22; Psalm 124)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me" (v. 39).
TO KNOW: Jesus exhorted the apostles to have courage under persecution. He was aware that his message would not be accepted by everyone, and he warned his followers that members of their own families might be their adversaries. Those who wished to follow in Jesus’ footsteps must be willing to put the gospel before all else -- even their own lives. They must be prepared to be treated like the prophets of old who suffered for proclaiming God's word. The apostles were Christian "prophets" who would speak God's saving message of the gospel. Whoever offered hospitality to them received Jesus himself and God who sent him, and they would be rewarded for their kindness.
TO LOVE: Pray for missionaries whose lives may be endangered for preaching the gospel.
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me courage to proclaim your gospel as your apostles did.
Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the
Church
Bonaventure joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor at the age of 22. He studied theology and philosophy in Paris. At age thirty-six, Bonaventure was made General of the Franciscan Order. He emphasized the total dependence upon God, and he wrote guides to mystic contemplation. He also wrote the official life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Following St Francis, Bonaventure expressed charity, goodwill and affection toward others. Bonaventure spoke at the Council of Lyons, at which he was a papal legate, but died before its close. On hearing of the death, Pope Gregory X, who had appointed him cardinal bishop of Albano in 1273, declared that Bonaventure was "a man of eminent learning and eloquence, and of outstanding holiness." Bonaventure was known as the Seraphic Doctor of the Church because he revealed a warmth toward others as a divine fire.
Monday 15 July 2019
St Bonaventure
Exodus 1:8-14, 22. Psalm 123(124). Matthew 10:34 – 11:1.
Our help is in the name of the Lord – Psalm 123(124)
‘Those who do not take up their cross and follow me are not worthy of me.’
Exodus 1:8-14, 22. Psalm 123(124). Matthew 10:34 – 11:1.
Our help is in the name of the Lord – Psalm 123(124)
‘Those who do not take up their cross and follow me are not worthy of me.’
The messages in today’s gospel are not all pretty and
gift-wrapped. There’s a hard edge that calls for conversion and commitment.
Jesus knew then that many would not see the message as good news. Not everyone
would accept his invitation to change.
Jesus insisted that the kingdom took priority over family
loyalties. Maybe this was his version of ‘tough love’, as even the disciples
took a long time to understand this message. They didn’t understand it fully
until Jesus had risen – but still they stayed.
Then it is confusing to hear Jesus’ words about losing one’s
life. Even the promise of finding life having lost it for Jesus’ sake seems
cryptic. Let us remember the witness of the generations of believers who have
gone before – there is life to be found in his name, in his presence, in his
steps. May we welcome him into our hearts today.
Saint Bonaventure
Saint of the Day for July 15
(1221 – July 15, 1274)
 |
| The Prayer of St. Bonaventura about the Selection of the New Pope | Francisco de Zurbarán |
Saint Bonaventure’s Story
Perhaps not a household name for most people, Saint Bonaventure,
nevertheless, played an important role in both the medieval Church and the
history of the Franciscan Order. A senior faculty member at the University of
Paris, Saint Bonaventure certainly captured the hearts of his students through
his academic skills and insights. But more importantly, he captured their
hearts through his Franciscan love for Jesus and the Church. Like his model,
Saint Francis, Jesus was the center of everything—his teaching, his
administration, his writing, and his life. So much so, that he was given the
title “Seraphic Doctor.”
Born in Bagnorea in 1221, Saint Bonaventure was baptized John,
but received the name Bonaventure when he became a Franciscan at the age of 22.
Little is known about his childhood, but we do know that his parents were
Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria Ritell. It seems that his father was a physician
and a man of means. While Saint Francis died about five years after the saint’s
birth, he is credited with healing Bonaventure as a boy of a serious illness.
Saint Bonaventure’s teaching career came to a halt when the
Friars elected him to serve as their General Minister. His 17 years of service
were not easy as the Order was embroiled in conflicts over the interpretation
of poverty. Some friars even ended up in heresy saying that Saint Francis and his community were inaugurating the
era of the Holy Spirit which was to replace Jesus, the Church, and Scripture.
But because he was a man of prayer and a good administrator, Saint Bonaventure
managed to structure the Order through effective legislation. But more
importantly, he offered the Friars an organized spirituality based on the
vision and insights of Saint Francis. Always a Franciscan at heart and a
mystical writer, Bonaventure managed to unite the pastoral, practical aspects
of life with the doctrines of the Church. Thus, there is a noticeable warmth to
his teachings and writings that make him very appealing.
Shortly before he ended his service as General Minister, Pope
Gregory X created him a Cardinal and appointed him bishop of Albano. But a
little over a year later, while participating in the Second Council of Lyon,
Saint Bonaventure suddenly died on July 15, 1274. There is a theory that he was
poisoned.
Saint Bonaventure left behind a structured and renewed
Franciscan Order and a body of work all of which glorifies his major
love—Jesus.
Reflection
Bonaventure so united holiness and theological knowledge that he
rose to the heights of mysticism while remaining a very active preacher and
teacher, one beloved by all who met him. To know him was to love him; to read
him is still for us today to meet a true Franciscan and a gentleman.
Lectio Divina: Matthew 10:34-11:1
Lectio Divina
Monday, July 15, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
Your light of truth
guides us to the way of Christ.
May all who follow Him
reject what is contrary to the gospel.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Your light of truth
guides us to the way of Christ.
May all who follow Him
reject what is contrary to the gospel.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) 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.
3) Reflection
• In May of last year, the V Conference of Latin American
Bishops, which was held in Aparecida in the north of Brazil, wrote a very
important document on the theme: “Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ,
so that our peoples may have life”. The discourse of the mission of chapter 10
of the Gospel of Matthew offers much light in helping to carry out the mission
as disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ. The Gospel today presents to us
the last part of this discourse of the mission.
• Matthew 10:34-36: I have not come to bring peace to the earth but the sword. Jesus always speaks of peace (Mt 5:9; Mk 9:50; Lk 1:79; 10:5; 19:38; 24:36; Jn 14:27; 16:33; 20:21, 26). How can we understand the statement in today’s Gospel which seems to say the contrary: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; no, I have not come to bring peace but the sword.” This affirmation does not mean that Jesus was in favor of division and the sword. No! Jesus wants neither the sword (Jn 18:11) nor division. He wants the union of all in truth (cf. Jn 17:17-23). At that time, the announcement of the truth that He, Jesus of Nazareth, was the Messiah became a reason of great division among the Jews. In the same family or community, some were in favor and others were radically contrary. In this sense the Good News of Jesus was truly a source of division, a “sign of contradiction” (Lk 2:34) or, as Jesus said, He was bringing the sword. In this way the other warning is understood: “I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; a person’s enemies will be the members of his own household”. In fact, that was what was happening in the families and in the communities: much division, much discussion, the consequence of the announcement of the Good News among the Jews of that time, because some accepted while others rejected. Today the same thing happens. Many times, when the Church renews itself, the appeal to the Good News becomes a ‘sign of contradiction’ and of division. People who for years have lived comfortably in their routine of Christian life do not want to allow themselves to be bothered by the ‘innovations’ of Vatican Council II. Disturbed by the changes, they used all their intelligence to find arguments in defense of their opinions and to condemn the changes, considering them contrary to what they thought was the true faith.
• Matthew 10:37: No one who prefers father or mother to Me is worthy of Me. Luke gives this same statement, but much more demanding. Literally he says, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his sons and brothers, his sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Lk 14:26). How can this affirmation of Jesus be combined with the other one in which He says to observe the fourth commandment: love and honor father and mother? (Mk 7:10-12; Mt 19:19). (The Greek word used in Luke is μισέω, which has slightly different meaning than how hate is used in English. It’s usage means “to love less”, to denounce (comparatively) between the two. It does not carry the animosity we commonly associate with hate.) However, two observations: (1) The fundamental criterion on which Jesus insists always is this one: the Good News of God should be the supreme value of our life. In our life there can be no greater value. (2) The economic and social situation at the time of Jesus was such that the families were obliged to close themselves up in themselves. They no longer had the conditions to respect the obligations of human community living together as, for example, sharing, hospitality, invitation to a meal, and the acceptance of the excluded. This individualistic closing up in self, caused by the national and international situation, produced distortion: (1) It made life in community impossible (2) It limited the commandment “honor father and mother” exclusively to the small family nucleus and no longer to the larger family of the community (3) It prevented the full manifestation of the Good News of God, because if God is Father/Mother we are brothers and sisters of one another. And this truth should be expressed in the life of the community. A living and fraternal community is the mirror of the face of God. Living together without community is a mirror which disfigures the face of God. In this context, the request of Jesus, “to hate father and mother” means that the disciples should overcome the individualistic closing up of the small family on itself, and extend it to the community dimension, preferring to communal love to limiting it to familial love. Jesus Himself put into practice what He taught others. His family wanted to call Him to close Himself up in self. When they told Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside and they are looking for You”, He answered: “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Looking at the people around Him He said: “Behold, My mother and My brothers. Anyone who does the will of God is My brother, My sister and My mother” (Mk 3:32-35). He extends the family! This was and continues to be, even today for the small family, the only way to be able to keep and transmit the values which He believes.
• Matthew 10:38-39: The demands of the mission of the disciples. In these two verses, Jesus gives important and demanding advice: (a) To take up the cross and follow Jesus: Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in My footsteps is not worthy of Me. In order to perceive all the significance and importance of this first advice, keep in mind the witness of Saint Paul: “But as for me, it is not of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). To carry the cross presupposes, even now, a radical drawing away from the sinful system which reigns in the world. (b) To have the courage to give one’s life: “Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for My sake will find it”. Only the one who in life has been capable of giving himself totally to others will feel fulfilled. This second piece of advice confirms the deepest human experience; the source of life is in the gift of life. In giving one receives. “If the grain of wheat does not die …” (Jn 12, 24).
• Matthew 10:40: The identification of the disciple with Jesus and with God Himself. This human experience of contribution and of the gift received has a clarification, a deepening: “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me: and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me.” In the total gift of self, the disciple identifies himself with Jesus; there the encounter with God takes place, and God allows Himself to be found by the one who seeks Him.
• Matthew 10:41-42: The reward of the prophet, of the just and of the disciple. The discourse of the Mission ends with one sentence on reward: “Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes an upright person because he is upright will have the reward of an upright person. If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is a disciple, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without reward”. In this statement the sequence is very meaningful: the prophet is recognized because of his mission as one sent by God. The upright person is recognized by his behavior, by his perfect way of observing the law of God. The disciple is recognized by no quality or mission, but simply by his social condition of being least among the people. The Kingdom is not made of great things. It is like a very big house which is constructed with small bricks. Anyone who despises the brick will have great difficulty in constructing the house. Even a glass of water serves as a brick for the construction of the Kingdom.
• Matthew 11:1: The end of the discourse of the mission. When Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples He moved from there to teach and preach in their towns. Now Jesus leaves to put into practice what He has taught. We will see this in chapters 11 and 12 of the Gospel of Matthew.
• Matthew 10:34-36: I have not come to bring peace to the earth but the sword. Jesus always speaks of peace (Mt 5:9; Mk 9:50; Lk 1:79; 10:5; 19:38; 24:36; Jn 14:27; 16:33; 20:21, 26). How can we understand the statement in today’s Gospel which seems to say the contrary: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; no, I have not come to bring peace but the sword.” This affirmation does not mean that Jesus was in favor of division and the sword. No! Jesus wants neither the sword (Jn 18:11) nor division. He wants the union of all in truth (cf. Jn 17:17-23). At that time, the announcement of the truth that He, Jesus of Nazareth, was the Messiah became a reason of great division among the Jews. In the same family or community, some were in favor and others were radically contrary. In this sense the Good News of Jesus was truly a source of division, a “sign of contradiction” (Lk 2:34) or, as Jesus said, He was bringing the sword. In this way the other warning is understood: “I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; a person’s enemies will be the members of his own household”. In fact, that was what was happening in the families and in the communities: much division, much discussion, the consequence of the announcement of the Good News among the Jews of that time, because some accepted while others rejected. Today the same thing happens. Many times, when the Church renews itself, the appeal to the Good News becomes a ‘sign of contradiction’ and of division. People who for years have lived comfortably in their routine of Christian life do not want to allow themselves to be bothered by the ‘innovations’ of Vatican Council II. Disturbed by the changes, they used all their intelligence to find arguments in defense of their opinions and to condemn the changes, considering them contrary to what they thought was the true faith.
• Matthew 10:37: No one who prefers father or mother to Me is worthy of Me. Luke gives this same statement, but much more demanding. Literally he says, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his sons and brothers, his sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Lk 14:26). How can this affirmation of Jesus be combined with the other one in which He says to observe the fourth commandment: love and honor father and mother? (Mk 7:10-12; Mt 19:19). (The Greek word used in Luke is μισέω, which has slightly different meaning than how hate is used in English. It’s usage means “to love less”, to denounce (comparatively) between the two. It does not carry the animosity we commonly associate with hate.) However, two observations: (1) The fundamental criterion on which Jesus insists always is this one: the Good News of God should be the supreme value of our life. In our life there can be no greater value. (2) The economic and social situation at the time of Jesus was such that the families were obliged to close themselves up in themselves. They no longer had the conditions to respect the obligations of human community living together as, for example, sharing, hospitality, invitation to a meal, and the acceptance of the excluded. This individualistic closing up in self, caused by the national and international situation, produced distortion: (1) It made life in community impossible (2) It limited the commandment “honor father and mother” exclusively to the small family nucleus and no longer to the larger family of the community (3) It prevented the full manifestation of the Good News of God, because if God is Father/Mother we are brothers and sisters of one another. And this truth should be expressed in the life of the community. A living and fraternal community is the mirror of the face of God. Living together without community is a mirror which disfigures the face of God. In this context, the request of Jesus, “to hate father and mother” means that the disciples should overcome the individualistic closing up of the small family on itself, and extend it to the community dimension, preferring to communal love to limiting it to familial love. Jesus Himself put into practice what He taught others. His family wanted to call Him to close Himself up in self. When they told Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside and they are looking for You”, He answered: “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Looking at the people around Him He said: “Behold, My mother and My brothers. Anyone who does the will of God is My brother, My sister and My mother” (Mk 3:32-35). He extends the family! This was and continues to be, even today for the small family, the only way to be able to keep and transmit the values which He believes.
• Matthew 10:38-39: The demands of the mission of the disciples. In these two verses, Jesus gives important and demanding advice: (a) To take up the cross and follow Jesus: Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in My footsteps is not worthy of Me. In order to perceive all the significance and importance of this first advice, keep in mind the witness of Saint Paul: “But as for me, it is not of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). To carry the cross presupposes, even now, a radical drawing away from the sinful system which reigns in the world. (b) To have the courage to give one’s life: “Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for My sake will find it”. Only the one who in life has been capable of giving himself totally to others will feel fulfilled. This second piece of advice confirms the deepest human experience; the source of life is in the gift of life. In giving one receives. “If the grain of wheat does not die …” (Jn 12, 24).
• Matthew 10:40: The identification of the disciple with Jesus and with God Himself. This human experience of contribution and of the gift received has a clarification, a deepening: “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me: and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me.” In the total gift of self, the disciple identifies himself with Jesus; there the encounter with God takes place, and God allows Himself to be found by the one who seeks Him.
• Matthew 10:41-42: The reward of the prophet, of the just and of the disciple. The discourse of the Mission ends with one sentence on reward: “Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes an upright person because he is upright will have the reward of an upright person. If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is a disciple, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not go without reward”. In this statement the sequence is very meaningful: the prophet is recognized because of his mission as one sent by God. The upright person is recognized by his behavior, by his perfect way of observing the law of God. The disciple is recognized by no quality or mission, but simply by his social condition of being least among the people. The Kingdom is not made of great things. It is like a very big house which is constructed with small bricks. Anyone who despises the brick will have great difficulty in constructing the house. Even a glass of water serves as a brick for the construction of the Kingdom.
• Matthew 11:1: The end of the discourse of the mission. When Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples He moved from there to teach and preach in their towns. Now Jesus leaves to put into practice what He has taught. We will see this in chapters 11 and 12 of the Gospel of Matthew.
4) Personal questions
• To lose life in order to gain life. Have you had some
experience of having felt rewarded for an act of donation or gratuity for
others?
• He who welcomes you welcomes Me, and who welcomes Me, welcomes the One who sent Me. Stop and think about what Jesus says here: He and God Himself identify themselves with you.
• He who welcomes you welcomes Me, and who welcomes Me, welcomes the One who sent Me. Stop and think about what Jesus says here: He and God Himself identify themselves with you.
5) Concluding Prayer
How blessed are those who live in Your house;
they shall praise You continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in You,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84:4-5)
they shall praise You continually.
Blessed those who find their strength in You,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Ps 84:4-5)
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