Dear Brothers and Sisters,
If we go back to last week’s gospel, you will recall Jesus admonishing his disciples to not fold due to fear or pressure but remain resolute in proclaiming the gospel they have been entrusted with. To not fear what men can do, but instead be in awe of God who has the power over the soul.
Today he drives home the message and in a sense ‘doubles down’ over the priority of place that he should hold in the lives of his disciples. Who of us, with the exception of those of us with broken family relationships do not love our parents or children deeply? Here Jesus seems to be saying that we have to put love of him first and rightly so. The point here is that nothing should distract us from the gospel, not even the most important or intimate of our relationships. This should not shock us. Jesus has said this many times throughout the scriptures. In Matthew 22, Jesus will reiterate it as it is enshrined in the book of Leviticus, chapter 19 and Deuteronomy, chapter 6, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Love of God and in this case, his only begotten Son should be first and foremost in our hearts. Our very salvation is dependent on him, therefore even more importantly over the other relationships which we hold precious, love of him should take precedence. If it doesn’t then he makes it clear that we are not worthy of him. Again, he drives this message home with the example of what loving him above all else will cost his disciples; the Cross. To grasp at anything else, (whoever finds his life), relationships, wealth, power, fame is bound to lose eternal life. But whoever embraces the Cross and follows after him placing Jesus above all else, will find eternal life.
In essence when we live for Christ first, we become truly his ambassador or ‘Shaliah’ we find it in Jewish tradition and so when others greet us, they receive one with the authority of the one by whom they were sent. The Apostles, or ‘sent ones’ speak not on their own accord but in the voice and authority of the one who sent them. Behind their teaching, healing and proclamation is the authority of Jesus. To reject such authority is to despise the one who sent them and in this case the sender is not one who should be despised. Yet the one who receives those who are sent in Jesus’ name not only receive Jesus, but the very Father, God who sent the Son into the world for its salvation.
Jesus speaks of taking up our crosses several times throughout the gospels. We, as a 21st century people do not flinch when we hear the words. Over two thousand years have desensitized us to the severity of what the Cross means. However, in Jesus’ day, talking about the crosses and crucifixion was considered a taboo topic. To be the object of crucifixion was to make you an outcast, a source of humiliation and someone to be shunned and despised. And not only you, but your whole family and clan. To this point it was not a subject to be discussed publicly. So, for Jesus to openly speak of taking up your cross his disciples and any listeners must have been utterly shocked. It just wasn’t talked about, let alone something that anyone should actively pursue. Place this now in the context of loving Jesus first and it should impress upon us the importance and priority he is placing on personal humility and our relationship with him. To him nothing is more important, and nothing should stand in the way, even the ones we love.
Where do we fall in relationship to Jesus’ call to discipleship? Where in our lives have we avoided the crosses or placed other relationships or objects above him? He made clear his expectations. How seriously do we take him at his word?
Peace,
Fr. Steve
