Thirteenth Sunday of the year (Year A)

Thirteenth Sunday of the year July 02, 2023

2 Kings 4, 8-11 14-16; Romans 6, 3-4 8-11; Matthew 10 37-42

(Image courtesy: Google)

Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission. Once he was interviewing candidates for the mission field. “Why do you wish to go to foreign mission?” he asked them one after another. “I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” said one. Another said, “I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ.” Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, “All of these motives, however good, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ.”

In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches those whom he is sending out as messengers of the gospel that they must be driven by the love they bear for him, and sustained by the love they receive from others. In other words, preaching the gospel is not just a question of being a channel of God’s love, for a channel flows only in one direction. It is more like being an electrical conduit which receives current only to give it out, and gives out current only to receive again. Jesus tells us that it is a question of loving and being loved, of giving and receiving. All of today’s readings remind us that we become fully alive through the generous giving of ourselves.

In the first reading the wealthy and pious woman did nothing remarkable in offering hospitality to Prophet Elisha when he occasionally passed that way. A piece of floor space, a mat, some food and friendship she offered and later asked her husband to build a little hut for the prophet on the roof of the house. In Biblical times hospitality was considered an important virtue. This was especially true when extended to someone doing God’s work. The reverence was extended to the office and not necessarily to the person. The woman’s kindness in making special arrangement to the Prophet was in reality kindness to God.  The prophet felt the need of rewarding her for her generosity she now receives a reward beyond all proportions.  She was longing to have a son and in the name of God, the prophet promises the reward she wishes to have.

Today's Gospel is the conclusion of the instructions and consolations that we have heard Jesus offering to his disciples during the past few weeks. In this passage, Jesus summarizes both the costs of discipleship and its rewards. A disciple is one who knows his master well, has fully understood his life and now puts it into practice.  This disciple gives his whole hearted submission and puts into practice the word of his master.  Here again our understanding of the Gospel is strengthened by considering the context in which it was written and the perspective of Matthew's audience.  The conditions of discipleship outlined in Matthew's Gospel may appear harsh. Yet they underline for us a truth—choosing anything with one's whole heart has consequences.

Today's Gospel also highlights for us the importance of hospitality in the Christian life. To welcome another in Jesus' name is to extend hospitality to Jesus himself.  Jesus will surely reward the person for this generous act. We have many opportunities in our daily life to reach out to others, to be a welcoming presence and a sign of God's love. In the Christian era all those who cooperate even in a little way, will also be rewarded. The reward may not come to them in this life, but if not it will be all the greater; it will be in the next life.

Today as we carry the message home, let us remember our Lord’s words to us: he who receives or gives hospitality and help to a prophet will have the reward of a prophet. He who helps those who are preaching and teaching the message of salvation, the good news of Christ, at home or abroad, will himself share the reward of these preachers and teachers.

Happy Sunday