THE COSTS AND THE REWARDS OF DISCIPLESHIP (Gospel: St Matthew 10:37-42)

In today’s Gospel Jesus is very clear in His message about the level of commitment expected from His followers, the challenges and cost of true discipleship. Whilst His message about the demands of discipleship is stark, Jesus also lets us know that discipleship is a rewarding journey of hospitality: made in the image and likeness of God the Father, those who offer a welcome to others, offer a welcome to Jesus himself. We love God by seeing Jesus in the face of others, by welcoming others in His name. Each day, we have opportunities to be a welcoming presence and a sign of God’s love.

Matthew wants to make it clear that the task of discipleship is not limited to a few ‘professional’ missionaries. This mission sermon of Jesus is a call to every member of the community to respond in a generous way and the simplest way that the good news is shared is through our lived example.