Fulfilling Relationships

Today’s Gospel Text:  "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." 11 And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Matt 10:34-11:1

Reflection:  How many of us may have played this little game with a small child of claiming their beloved parent as their own and watch for the child’s reaction.

What an endearing thing it is to see the child showing indignation or displeasure at such a claim.

The child will even defend or catch hold of the parent thus proving their love. For the parent too it is a beautiful sight to take pleasure in; a celebration of love!

This love for the parent may not always be manifested, as one grows old, in such fashion but it does get relocated into other relationships.

Therefore Jesus in a way communicates a comprehensive message when he says:

“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (vs. 37-38)

In other words we cannot have any love as our priority in life before the love for Jesus. Let God be first in our lives and every other love take the back seat.

It is not just a commandment or a selfish asking by Jesus but a legitimate demand which spells our own good.

We can never find our ultimate fulfillment and find stable happiness in anything, except in the permanent thing of life; Jesus Christ. 

Hence Jesus is revealing to us, in his assertion, that in him we can find our fulfillment and happiness; a relationship which is real, possible, caring, providing and fulfilling and above all permanent.

We need to know the practical aspect of loving Jesus more than anything else in life and one way to do it is to put into practice the spiritual lifestyles of the saints.

Prayer:  God our Father, teach us to put into practice the demands you make of us, so that we may be happy in this life and find eternal fulfillment in you.

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