13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Bullet Points (Matthew 10: 37-42)

• The first part of the gospel reading, Jesus portrays a true and authentic picture of the missionary or minister/messenger.

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 the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ( 37-38).

• In other words, the messenger of Christ must be someone who is in love with Christ in such a way that love of parents, and children (and love of spouse) assumes a secondary importance. Not only the love of family but also the love of self becomes secondary. Jesus does not go against the commandment to love father and mother. He states that he cannot accept people whose promises are half-hearted or temporary.
• To take up one’s cross and follow Jesus means that we should be ready not just to lose everything but give up life itself.
• The second part of the Gospel reading talks about the Christian messenger as one who also receives the love and hospitality of people. This time it is the disciple who is the receiving end: Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (40). – meaning, anything done to Christ’s messengers is in a way done to Christ himself. –onz,oar