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Continued Instructions for Faithful Living
From Matthew 10:40-42: "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."
Today's reading contain further instructions from Jesus to His disciples about the work they must carry on in reaching people for God. Jesus knew from personal experience that not all people welcome others. He had experienced rejection and questions about who He was and what He was about. Jesus also knew that the same would hold true for us when we go about God's business, and more so if we try to share a word about God to others. In the midst of all these things, Jesus knew the smallest kindness would be a blessing.
So, Jesus begins by reminding us to remember that He goes with us wherever we are led to work. And as we arrive at those places or among those people, Jesus is with us and if we are welcomed, Jesus is welcomed; and if Jesus is welcomed, then those people have welcomed God into their midst. My father was a man who loved to visit relatives. We were regular visitors to our kin in Kingsville. And there was one house in our route that had a stern warning in Spanish about that household being a Catholic home and that others were not welcomed, especially if they were coming to try and convert them away from their Catholicism. When I learned to read and comprehend that message I wondered how truly welcomed we were; we were not Roman Catholics, but then I knew that our visit was not about religion or teachings, it was about family. This family always welcomed us. I wonder how many "signs" we may have around us about how welcome others are into our lives, especially if they are different from us.
Jesus then speaks about prophets, and we remember that the Bible speaks of a prophet as being one who speaks a word on behalf of God. And those who welcome prophets receive a prophet's reward. Interesting because prophets were not necessarily welcome in most of the stories in the Old Testament; and some received a "reward" of death. But those who truly received and welcomed a prophet welcomed great joy and peace into their homes and into their hearts; this I believe is the reward that blesses those who welcome one who would speak on behalf of God. I remember as a child the visit of our minister to our home. If we knew that he was coming, we were usually given stern instructions on how to act while our pastor was with us. Even as a child I felt a peace and a joy whenever he arrived and shared his smile and words with us. The reward of a righteous person is inner peace and comfort; whoever welcomes a righteous person receives the same into their lives.
All of our visitors were asked by my mom or dad if they had eaten. In those days that was the standard question. Most of our visitors always said yes, they had eaten. And prior to our getting off our car as we visited, we were told the correct and only answer we could share if asked that question was yes, we have eaten. And our guests if they declined food, were asked if we could offer them something to drink. At best we had Kool Aid, we always had water. And most times the guest would say they would take a glass of water. Gestures of welcome and care are these of sharing at least water with a person. It is a desire to share that which is essential for well-being and life. And to share these, Jesus says, is to ensure that we do not lose our reward as we give "even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple."
PRAYER: Loving God, may Jesus' teaching remind us how important it is to go and visit with others about You. As we seek to bless, let us be a blessing to You and Yours. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
