Context, Context, Context
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother …”
“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 me is not worthy of me.” (Mt 10: 34-35, 37-38)
These can’t be the words of the Prince of Peace foretold in Isaiah 9:6. Yet, they are! – once we understand the context.
Matthew Chapter 10 specifically describes the conditions related to discipleship. A disciple is one who is called—even as an apostle is one who is sent. Here, Jesus is sending out the 12 Apostles to the lost sheep of Israel to invite them to embrace discipleship.
Disciples of Jesus are required to submit to two things: Love of God, and Him above all others and possessions; and, suffering, that part of discipleship which tests and purifies faith (1 Ptr 1:7).
No Greater Love
If the new commandment is to love one another as He has loved us, then it can not be that this passage implies we can not love our family. (Jn 15:12). Jesus is not teaching that disciples need to dislike their parents or siblings, but rather to love Him above those relationships.
At that time, one was either a Jew or Gentile. None, of course, were Christian. Those of us familiar with faith conversions, know that family members are often an impediment to conversion. In the context of Matthew’s reading for today, a Jew would necessarily have to leave certain Jewish practices in order to follow Jesus. The call meant leaving everything behind, (ie.: Mt 8:22) even if it meant distancing oneself from family members who disbelieved that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
The same call continues today. We must still leave father and mother, if necessary to cleave to the Church and become one (echad) with her. (cf. Eph 5:25-32).
Suffering For The Sake Of The Kingdom
Saint Paul, an apostle by special call of Jesus, understood discipleship. He states quite clearly that we who have received the Spirit are sons, in fact heirs, heirs with Christ provided we suffer with Him. (Rom 8:14-17).
Is this suffering understood to be the demand of an arbitrary and capricious God? By no means. As Saint Paul continues, the sufferings of this time are nothing compared to the reward that awaits us, for in this hope we were saved. (Rom 8:18,24)
In reality, the cross that accompanies discipleship, is not cancer or a terminal disease – it is the sacrifice of even the closest relationships (if necessary), as a witness to the Gospel. Who easily puts God first, at the cost of family or friends without an aspect of personal martyrdom – that death to self that otherwise would interfere with the call to follow Christ? I have found this a difficult thing to do.
Just Do It!
Yet, we must get out of our comfort zone and cast away all obstacles to discipleship and evangelization. Suffering for Christ can be intense mentally and sometimes even physically. I have discerned that my call is not ordered primarily to the public forum, but to the privacy of a trusted friendship or familial encounter. Having understood that call, I must humbly submit to the obedience of faith. (Rom 1:5).
[Readings: Ex 1:8-14, 22; Ps 124:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8; Mt 10:34—11:1]
Stirring reflection, I really appreciated this, Jerry. Much of it strikes close to home for me. Our Lord certainly knew that following Him would mean having to choose between Him and our family relationships, if necessary. You are so very right in that we have to get out of our comfort zone, as we strive to evangelize. It is not easy, and often entails suffering on our part, but I trust the seeds are being planted with each conversation or familial encounter. Thanks and God bless.