A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his apostles: “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 after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
With these challenging words, Jesus invites not only the apostles but anybody who hears him to take up his cross and follow after him. It’s hard to imagine a love greater than that of love for parents or children. Yet, in speaking to the apostles, that is the standard he calls us to strive for. The demand of discipleship to set aside the quest of self-fulfillment has a paradoxical result. In Jesus’ own words, what is that result? “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Whoever finds himself worthy of the Lord is the one who loves him more than father or mother or son or daughter. In that worthy state of grace, love of father and mother and son and daughter becomes ever greater.
God, help me remember this way of life that Jesus calls me to and that you, the author of life, give me your Son as the way, the truth, and the life. Calling this to mind, give me the courage to find my life by losing it for your sake. Jesus says, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” Give me the grace to recognize that I am an instrument of your love for your people, your “little ones.” In showing them mercy and kindness, I do your will by giving them a cup of cold water to drink.
Lord, be with me today as I put self-interest aside. Stay with me as I receive others, knowing that I love them all the more as I strive to be worthy of you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.