Matthew 10, 37-42:
Sunday, 2nd July 2023 (13TH T O A)
At that time Jesus said to his apostles: “Whoever loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me… Whoever does not carry 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”.
A Christian does not believe in a doctrine or ideas. He believes in a Person, in Jesus, the Son of God. And to be his disciple is something very demanding, as he tells us today in the Gospel. To be his disciple we have to give up many things, even good things, to make following him the first thing in our lives. He does not want half measures, nor a “light” following, but a demanding and radical one. We must take up our cross and follow him. On many occasions, both in family and social life, we find ourselves at the crossroads of contradictory options: to opt for the values of Jesus or for those presented to us by this world. Jesus asks us to put him before family, society or even our own life.
This Sunday’s Word of God also leaves us with another message: that of an attitude of welcoming others. Welcome through simple gestures, such as a glass of water, an outstretched hand or a little of our time. An open heart for those who come to us. “He who welcomes you welcomes me. What you did to one of them, you did to me”. Nothing we do will be forgotten. From his infinite goodness, God will repay us.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
How do you welcome others?
