It is Enough

Today’s Gospel Text: "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26 "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matt 10:24-33

Reflection: Most parents desire that their children achieve in life, whether in academics or in  other extra-curricular activities.

They will even motivate them, back them up and support them in order to achieve their maximum potential.

They don’t need a lecture on 'maximizing potential' in order to motivate their children to achieve their peak performance.

In the bargain, many children have been sacrificed at the altar of parental ambitions and greed.

What is more unfortunate is that many of Christian parents too jump on to the bandwagon in this competitive world, pushing their children to the limits because they find that their child should be doing better than the other children.

Thus some of these children have turned out to be rebels, not managed by the ambitions of their parents; an ambition that stands exposed.

What is more, since the Christian goal of life has not been their mindset, some of these children have grown up confused in this world and think that to follow the majority or leaders of repute with poor morality or false ideologies are a way of life to live with.

Some have even become vegetables in the rat race of achievements, unable to take the pressures and some have committed suicide.

Which of these parents would want their children to be equal to them? Very few; they would always want their children to be better then themselves.

When Jesus sets a standard for us, he does not expect his followers to be better than him and take more burden than himself.

“It is enough”, he says, “for the disciple to be  like his teacher”.           

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you for you patient love and the grace that you afford us in your expectation of us. 

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