2 Kgs 4:8-11,13-16; Ps 88(89):2-3,16-19; Rom 6:3-4,8-11; Matt 10:37-42
THEME: Consolation in the Midst of Rejection
- Do Not Be Afraid to always Choose God
Last Sunday, Jesus is seen warning his newly recruited ‘men-of the-Goodnews’ against possible rejection of men and persecution which they would encounter in their effort to preach and live by the gospel message of Christ. The disciples would have to face persecution and rejection both by the people outside and those of their families (Matt 10:21-22). Christ’s message will cause tension also within one’s family (Matt 10:34-36). It is easy to endure persecution and rejection outside once home, but when these come also from the members of the person’s family, then it is considered more threatening. Hence, there will be the danger for
the disciple to abandon the life of the gospel in order to be welcomed by his own people. It is against this temptation that the gospel message warns today. Whoever wishes to live according to the details of the gospel must be ready to choose Jesus always against even the family members. This means that, even when speaking the truth would affect one’s family members;
even when one must stand up against the evil of any of his family members, even when one has to confront his mother, father, brothers, rich and poor uncles and aunts etc, he must not try to compromise but must be a strong ambassador of Christ. This is because it is easy to speak against the evil of the society in general, it is also easy to speak against the evil in other places, but very challenging to stand up against the evil in one’s own family. A girl whose rich uncle wishes to take advantage of her before he could support her in her education or business must choose to be of Christ. Someone whose brother or sister pays all his/her bills must not be afraid not to cut ties with them when it becomes manipulative or a way towards slavery. Someone whose rich son/daughter has become a monster to the society, must be ready to choose living by the truth and righteousness of the gospel than to closing eyes to the evil of his or her son/daughter. “Family relationships must not be given precedence over relationship to Jesus”.
Loyalty to one’s family must not replace loyalty to Jesus. More challenging is when one has to maintain his discipleship of Christ even when his/her life is at stake. What do you do when you are threatened directly or indirectly to choose between your life or your virtue?The proclamation of the gospel message of Christ and living by it may demand sacrificing one’s human relationship even of the most intimate kind especially when they stand against the gospel truth. It may not be easy, but with self-denial and always ready and eager to be of God, one will find strength and courage to choose God always, everywhere and every time.
- Consolation in the midst of Rejection
The strong warning of Jesus to the disciples last Sunday of a possible antagonism of men to them because they are his disciples would seem that everybody would be against the disciples and the message of Christ (Matt 10:17-19). But today’s readings present something different. Yes, there are many who will try to stop the spread of the gospel, many who will persecute and reject the disciples, and subject them to mockery and suffering, but there will still be many who will not only be pleased with the gospel message carried by the disciples but will also welcome the disciples and be charitable to them because they belong to Christ.
In the first reading, Elisha was received by a woman and her husband because he was the prophet of God. At this time, prophets were hated and even rejected by some people including kings (2 Kgs 3:13-14) because they were not afraid to speak against the evil of the society. But here, is this woman, serving food and willing to make a room for Elisha because
he was a prophet.
God always brings consolation to his disciples even in the midst of difficulties. Hence, the disciples of Christ are not to go about looking for what to gain from the gospel they preach but they must believe that He who has called them to that life and has charged them to always choose him over any other thing, will always provide them with enough consolation to balance their afflictions.
- For the Sake of God
Whatever comes to a disciple of Christ, whether rejection or acceptance by the people, it must always be seen as ‘For the sake of Christ’. Jesus says, “anyone who receives you, receives me, and those who receive me receive the one who sent me”. The word dexetai (to welcome/to receive) used here, does not merely mean to welcome someone in one’s house but to receive and accept the message of the disciples which is the message of Christ that the Father sent him to accomplish. Hence, the disciples are to carry the gospel message, not as their property but that of God. This becomes all the more important to how we relate with the gospel carriers. All of us are God’s instrument of conveying his truth to the world. Sometimes, there is danger of asking “who is saying that?”, the danger of refusing to accept a particular truth because of the human agent who carries the message. When we fail to accept the truth because we are not comfortable with the person who says it, we reject God who owns the truth and who is himself the Truth.
Furthermore, we are called to bring consolation to one another. There is no charity done to any one which goes unrewarded. This consolation is to be given, not only to the ‘prophets’ and the ‘holy man’ but also to the ‘little ones’. Jesus says, “anyone who offers even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, he will certainly not lose his reward”. The term ‘little ones’ is used in early Christianity to refer to ‘ordinary, insignificant Christians’(Cf Mk 9:42). Hence, even that Christian who is weak, falling and rising, negligible and insignificant, needs consolation from us. The Cup of cold water which Jesus uses here signifies something that is very common and costless. Hence, even the minutest encouragement given to someone as to help him or her live the gospel truth, can never go unrewarded.
The Shunamite woman offered food and a resting place to Elisha, not for any interest nor wish, but because as a way of promoting his prophetic ministry, God rewarded her with a male child. All charitable acts must not be for praise from men or to have control over the recipients or to appear good before others but for the sake of God. We must not be obstacle to people in their struggle to live a righteous life. Rather, we must be ready to offer comfort and consolation, no matter how little or negligible it is. The consolations or supports we offer must be free from selfish interests, but for the sake of God who repairs all sincere charity.
Fr. Nnamah Chukwuezugo.