Come and See!

Pondering the Word …

When I first reflected on this passage several years ago, it seemed contradictory. The first part sounds really harsh, even more so if you read it in Luke 14 (“hating father and mother, daughter and son”). I would think for many of Jesus’ early followers this would be a hard thing to accept, and likely confusing, given the fifth commandment. The cup of cold-water route, though? “Lord—no problema! I’ll even throw in a meal and a place to sleep! And I’ll still get my reward? Easy-peasy!”

But we recall who Jesus is speaking to here: the Apostles who have been commissioned as missionaries in the Jewish tradition of the shaliah, an emissary sent to speak for and act on behalf of the master; the ones who have been with him from the outset and should at least be starting to get an idea what following Jesus is all about (although Peter’s statement of Jesus as the Messiah doesn’t happen until Chapter 16. Perhaps Peter starts to get a clearer picture in tomorrow’s gospel.)

These guys have been around for some of Jesus’ healings, the raising of Jarius’ daughter, and the driving out of demons, and here, Jesus is sending them out to do the same! Wow! That’s heady stuff, and even though Jesus warns them of persecutions to come, I wonder if they really get what it means to follow Christ.

I wonder if I do. Do you?

Living the Word…

There are several readings this week, some from the prophet Amos (you know, that shepherd and dresser of sycamore guy!) about justice and paying attention to what it means to be a disciple. He lambastes the leaders and the people for all the rites and rituals they perform while at the same time ignoring justice and righteousness. Like Jesus, the Old Testament prophets have no room for hypocrites who think that by their pious deeds, their injustice, violence, and greed will escape God’s notice.

Spend time reflecting on what you think it takes to be a true disciple today. (In the past, I’ve recommended Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, an admonition from one who put love, life, and limb aside for God.) There are people today who have given their lives (e.g., in the US, Renee Good and Alex Pretti) to fight against injustice, and people all over the world risking and giving their lives for the earth and its creatures. How are you called from your every day “sycamore-dressing” life to prophesy for God as a disciple?

Thu, Ju1 2: “Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven, or to say, 'Rise and walk'?” (Mt 9:1-8). A dear priest friend gave me the Sacrament of the Sick this week to prepare for my upcoming surgery. He chose this passage to read. While I’ve always focused on the phrase “Jesus saw their faith” as a reminder of what it means to be a pastoral care giver, listening to it that day, the line about which is “easier” spoke to me. It made me reflect: Which is easier for me…for you to accept? What does it mean for me, for you to rise up and walk?” Provision: Accept forgiveness. Then, get movin’! While we marvel at the reports of Jesus’ miracles, we might find these easier to accept because…well, nothing is impossible for God. But our sinfulness…now that might be a different story. Do you hold onto your sins and fail to forgive yourself, even as you claim to believe in God’s mercy? That’s due to shame, the contrite face of pride. Let go of what holds you back. Jesus wants you to rise up from the mat of shame and walk in joy, letting the world see what forgiveness and mercy can do!