Readings: 2 Kings 4:8-12, 14-16; Romans
6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42
The Difficulty of Discipleship.
1. Last
Sunday, we listened to Jesus as he gave his apostles instructions before they
were sent out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He made it
clear that their journey would be anything but easy. They were to
expect the worst but hoped for the best. He told them not to fear those who
could only kill the body but had no power to cast the soul into hell. God
controlled their lives and knew even the number of hairs on their heads. Today,
as Jesus concludes his address, he warned, “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; whoever does not take up his cross and follow me
is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” These are
hard words! Christ stressed, in no small way, the difficulty of
discipleship. Our call to discipleship means a clean break from
family ties, blood relationships, and encumbrances with worldly things. We must
die to ourselves so that we may live for Christ. Therefore, our mission
responsibility should be our number one priority. Our priority should
be the cross of our Lord, while depending entirely on the generosity of the
people we are sent to.
2.
As I read these instructions, I think of
my work in the Banjul Diocese of the Gambia. It was tough. I had to learn a new
language and struggled with a different culture. But that was nothing compared
to what the St. Patrick Fathers (SPS) from Ireland, who brought Christianity to
my region in Nigeria, endured. They survived hardships of a magnitude proportion
in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There were no roads, pipe-borne water,
electricity, hospitals, schools, churches, or rectories. They fought to stay
alive against malaria, influenza, and cholera; many died a few weeks after
arrival. They struggled with the language, the tribal people, the elements, and
the harsh environments and weather conditions. Gradually, however, they built
rectories, churches, schools, and hospitals. They taught the children not just
religion but also provided them with the best education at that time. They
died to themselves to give us a new life. Thanks to them, many are priests
today, following in their footsteps to give others what they received. They
proved that the best life is the life lived for others. In sacrificing for
others, we give a meaningful life of peace and tranquility.
3. Today’s
Gospel clearly states that missionary work cannot be undertaken by everyone in
the same way. But all are called to be missionaries, regardless. Some people support
the mission work financially, spiritually, and morally, while others give of themselves.
Missionaries respond to the call to leave homes and families to bring the
Gospel to people in foreign lands. Without the sending and the receiving
Church, mission work would be impossible. A disciple is one sent; therefore,
churches must be open to receive and support missionary disciples. In receiving
them, they receive Jesus and the Father who sent him. Christ reiterates: “Whoever
welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent
me.” Those who show hospitality to missionaries will be rewarded.
These are Jesus’ words: “Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of
a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous
person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of a righteous
person.”
4.
Every Christian must take an active part
in responding to the mission of the church. We must respond to the divine mandate of
Christ to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt.
28:19). The story of Elisha’s meeting with the wealthy, though childless, woman
of Shunem, in the first reading, illustrated how God has always rewarded
generosity to those engaged in divine mission. She and her husband were
promised a child because of their generosity to Elisha, the man of God. ‘One
good turn deserves another,’ indeed! We can change the world
through our generosity. We may not know what acts of kindness will change the
lives of people we meet daily, but God knows. Our sporadic acts of
kindness are all we need to bring transformation to the people we encounter.
5.
Our Lord promised a reward for our kindness to
those who answered the call to be missionaries: his disciples, his eyes, and
ears in the world. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good
measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap.” (Lk.
6:38). Human generosity will always be
rewarded with divine superabundance. Open your hearts to God’s children who
need your help. Whatever you give, be it water, food, words of prayer, words of
encouragement, a listening ear, a ride to the doctor, or assistance to
missionaries anywhere in the world, is a good deed done to God. Your
reward may not be today, but it will certainly come one day. Though
you may undergo suffering and deprivation in the process, let it be your
participation in the cross of Christ.
6.
Let us pray with St. Francis: “O
Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving
that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; in dying that we are
born to eternal life.” Amen
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.
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