13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's gospel is the end of Matthew 10 in which Jesus gives instruction to the twelve disciples as He sends them out to begin their work. He tells that He must come first in their lives, even ahead of their family. And that was true not only for the Twelve, but is true for us as well. His words may sound harsh, but when Jesus is the Lord of our lives, we are better able to love our family and all others in our life.  It's like the saying, “The best thing a father can do for his children is love their mother.”  Once our priorities are set and we have put first things first, everything else is in good order.

Jesus also tells the Twelve that they have to take up their cross and follow after Him.  That, too, is true for us.  Being a disciple of Jesus requires us to take up our cross and follow Him.  We have to model our lives on His life.  Just as He had to carry His cross and offer up His life, we have to do the same in whatever way God chooses for us.  But when we do that, we are guaranteed a share in His eternal life and the glory of heaven.  Following Jesus is not easy, but it is worth all that awaits us when we do.

Jesus then speaks about what we might call hospitality - being kind and welcoming to others. He tells the disciples they will be welcomed because they belong to Him, as do prophets, righteous people, and little children.  Those are all other names that could be used for the disciples.

Hospitality is a virtuous practice that perhaps we need to give more thought to so as to practice it more faithfully.  To welcome others warmly and kindly, especially those we don't know, is a beautiful Christ-like action. And we see from the wonderful story from 2 Kings in the first reading that being hospitable, especially to those who speak God’s words, will bring a reward.

Having heard this gospel, we, like the Twelve, have to put it into action.  We do whatever it takes to put Jesus first in our lives, we take up our cross, and we welcome those we meet on the way.