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.”
READ: Through Elisha, God rewards a faithful woman with the child she has
long desired. Paul teaches about the nature of Baptism which unites us to
Christ’s death and Resurrection, freeing us from sin and offering us the freedom
of the children of God. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds his listeners that no
ties, even the closest human ties, are greater than those of faith.
REFLECT: Today’s Gospel is shocking! Jesus says quite plainly that we must
love God more than any human being, even our parents and children! This
instruction seems outrageous, especially since honoring our parents is one
of the commandments. But Jesus does not tell us not to love our parents and
children. Rather, we must love God first. If we love God wholeheartedly, our
love will be multiplied and will overflow. We will have enough love for family,
friends, strangers, and even enemies. Jesus teaches that we cannot limit our
love to those close to us and most like us. Our love should expand beyond
what is comfortable and reach out to the margins, to those despised, ignored,
and forgotten.
PRAY: God, help me to love you above all things.
ACT: Ask forgiveness and reconcile with someone you have hurt.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023