Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 10: 34 – 11: 1
July 17, 2023 | Monday
Do not think that I have come to establish peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Each one will have as enemies, those of one’s own family.
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 his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just
man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded.”
When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there, to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns.
Today’s Reflection:
The gospel highlights how we welcome the one sent from God, Jesus Christ as well as the chain of missions. These are Jesus’ words for all of us, words not only of hospitality, but also words of encouragement, consolation, and challenge. He warned His disciples before hand to expect resistance and factions even within their own families when they try to introduce our faith. He reminded them of the incomparable value of their commitment to the one sent. This “sending” reality serves as the basis for the idea of Jesus’ identification with the “little one”. It gives rise to viewing Christian life as a “chain” of missions. As the Father sends the Son, so the son sends the disciples. As we are reminded of this mission, let us reflect on this—at this time of your life, to whom do you think you are sent for a certain mission? /Vulnerasti, 2023
