Proper 8

Preparation

Please begin by reading Matthew 10:40-42 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided the text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--Some Good News for God’s Little Ones

Jesus continues on with his teachings about the cost and the joys of discipleship--what it means to go deeper spiritually. In last week's Gospel lesson, that falls just before today's passage in the Gospel text, Jesus reminded us that being faithful in telling our story of what he has done for us can bring opposition-even opposition from family and friends. Nevertheless, the story of Jesus is one that we should "proclaim from the housetops."

Jesus warning from last week's passage is as timely as this morning's newspaper. We live in a time and culture when even a mild acknowledgment of our faith can be met with disinterest or embarrassment or hostility (especially acknowledgment that not only are we Christians, but that we are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered Christians!). Where is the good news, then, if being faithful and sharing our story can bring strife and the loss of relationship? How can Jesus say, as is reported a little later in this Gospel, that "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

One piece of the good news came last week. When we acknowledge Jesus in this life, Jesus will stand before God's throne and acknowledge us. A second part of the good news for disciples is in today's short passage. Jesus will not only stand with us in the "by and by," but will go with us in the here and now.

While the Christian walk may sometimes be tough (although it often brings great joy as well!), we do not go alone. Jesus says that "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." That is so because a life of faithfulness does indeed make us temples of the Spirit it the most literal way.

That is, in fact, the source of both the opposition and the great joy of a centered and faithful life. Drawing ever closer to the heart of God always brings opposition, for there is always opposition to God's reign of love, but oh what a wonderful place to be!! The "burden" of bringing the word of God's love to others that we once thought so impossibly heavy when we looked at it from a distance does indeed become lighter when we finally pick it up and carry it. That is because most of the burden Jesus bids us carry always rests on his shoulders.
 

revclay

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Matthew 10:40-42

[Jesus said:] “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” [NRSV]