Arulvakku

27.06.2022 — Promised Rewards

13th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 27th June 2022 — Gospel: Mt 8, 18-22

Promised Rewards

As Jesus orders his disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, two different would-be disciples express their desire to go with him. The problem with both is that they have not sufficiently considered the cost of discipleship. Perhaps their enthusiasm is due to witnessing Jesus’ miracles, but neither realizes the itinerant nature of the mission or the urgency of the call. Anyone who desires ‘to be with him’ has to ‘follow him’. ‘Following Jesus’ means precisely ‘to be with him’ till the end. The phrase ‘following Jesus’ assures two rewards for the apostles personally: ‘to sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel along with the Son of man’ and ‘to receive in hundred-fold for all earthly losses along with the inheritance of eternal life’ (Mt 19:28-29). Sometimes the crowds too ‘followed him’ but temporarily and they were never with him. Therefore, ‘being’ a true disciple of Jesus and ‘following him’ amount to the same.