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Reflecting on the Gospel
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus presented two themes: the priority of faith and the virtue of hospitality. Being a disciple is not to be undertaken lightly - it is a whole-hearted commitment. We are called to share the gift of hospitality. The sacrament of Confirmation empowers us to use the gifts of the Spirit to reach out to others.
Many of us have met people who are very family-orientated - and, on the whole, their homes are places of welcome and love. However, we have also met people for whom “family” has become an idol in itself - they worship the kind of family life they have created and can be positively hostile to outsiders. This insulates them from the realities of the world.
For Jesus, that is escape - hiding behind the doors of our homes - perhaps using our families as an excuse for not doing share with caring for others.
Reaching out to others beyond the family requires sacrifice - and, for some, the sacrifice is as radical as giving up the chance of family life. For them, this is the cross that Jesus asks them to take up and to follow in His footsteps.
For others, the building of the Kingdom is to take place within families where Jesus is the invisible member at their heart. In such homes, children grow up valuing the relationships of family - but aware that there is big world outside it. Such families find mutual strength and support - but are not closed in on themselves. They become places of welcome where others can also find love and shelter.
These are the homes where those who have followed a more radical path can find a refuge. They may have left their own families - but know that there are others who will welcome them as brother or sister.
Where such a person is welcomed - even with so much as a cup of cold water - the reward for the welcomers will be as great as that of the prophet they have welcomed.
Faith demands great risks. But it gives great rewards. One could lose his or her family, but the person gains so much more in return.
Reflection Questions
NEW HOMILY SERIES
EVERY JOURNEY HAS A PATH
The journey of faith begins when we hear the good news that a relationship with God is available through Jesus Christ. Then we have a decisive moment when we choose to begin a new life of following Christ. It changes our whole world, giving us new direction and purpose. Everyone needs some help staying on the path and progressing closer to God.