Matthew 10:34-11:1
Chapter 10
Radical Discipleship
Don’t think I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Each one will have enemies from their own family.
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.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me.
Whoever welcomes a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not lose his reward.
Chapter 11
After Jesus finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their towns.
Commentaries
Radical Discipleship.
All the powerful groups in Jesus’ time aimed, in one way or another, to dominate. Jesus’ approach is the opposite: to serve, which means to take up the cross and follow him. Jesus defines himself through his complete self-giving. Faithfulness to Jesus must surpass all other loyalties, even family ties, because instead of dividing, it will give true meaning to all other commitments.
Rewards.
The words that close the mission sermon speak of the reward that will be given to all those who welcome Jesus’ messengers. The mission is the task of the entire Christian community, with different charisms but a single mission.