We have some clues (Mt 10:26-33)

     We all need a pep talk from time to time.  It can keep us motivated when things get rough.  In the sports world, coaches use this technique all the time to rev up the team for the big game, especially when defeat stares players in the face.  A passage from Matthew’s gospel shows Jesus doing something similar with the apostles.  The context for this passage is the commissioning of the twelve apostles.  Jesus gives his apostles a spiritual pep talk, so to speak, before sending them out on a mission to imitate his good works.

     In addition to offering encouragement, Jesus also gives the apostles some specific instruction.  He tells them what they are to take with them—no money, no sandals, only one tunic; and where they should go—to the lost sheep of Israel; and where to stay—in the house of a worthy person; and when to leave a place—when their mission there is complete or when the people reject them.  And, woe to those who do not welcome the apostles, for Jesus claims that “it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (10:15).

     Jesus has another purpose for his pep talk, however.  Besides encouraging and instructing the apostles, Jesus also warns them, for things may not go as expected.  Their mission will not be easy because a commitment to good works will pit them against those who are at odds with such a purpose.  In other words, following Jesus will come at a cost, perhaps even the cost of their lives.  Jesus minces no words in this regard when he says to the apostles that “You will be hated…because of my name…” (10:23).

     For this reason, Jesus warns the apostles to avoid certain people, but oddly enough, he never identifies which specific people to avoid.  He merely characterizes the ones to avoid in general terms as those who will work against them, betray them, and even kill them for their own purposes.  This vague warning suggests that the apostles at times will not recognize the enemy, and might even mistake the enemy for a trusted friend or a close family member.  The apostles indeed go out as sheep among wolves.

     Jesus tempers such dire warnings and predictions with the counsel that “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master” (10:25).  These words show that Jesus does not ask the apostles to endure anything more than he too will endure, and worse.  He proves his point in the end by giving his life for their sake and for the sake of the kingdom.  On that note, Jesus concludes his talk with the apostles by assuring them that whoever endures to the end will receive his just reward. 

     Jesus speaks to the apostles in a future sense because his mission of good works will continue after his own earthly life ends.  His mission will continue not only with the apostles, but also with those who come later.  Thus, the commissioning of the twelve was only the beginning.  It follows that our own baptism is a continuation of that same commissioning, a commitment to a life of good works.  Through his own life and mission, Jesus shows us that the true meaning of life is found only in loving service to others, for whoever loses his or her life for his sake finds life eternal.

     Like the apostles, remaining faithful to our baptismal call can be a challenge for us at times.  The pep talk that Jesus gave his apostles provides some useful hints to help us.  The first clue is this: travel light.  Sometimes, we get too focused on the things of this world, our material possessions, our career goals, our business relationships.  These can become a distraction on our spiritual journey.  When that happens, we might do well to travel light, to spend less time on acquiring material wealth and more time on sharing what we have, especially our time and our love with those closest to us.

      The second clue is this: we too may need to avoid certain people. Our commitment to good works often goes against the grain and comes at a price.  At times, that price includes avoiding those who are at odds with our spiritual aim, no matter how much we like them. This may be the only way to safeguard our spiritual health.  Despite our vigilance in this regard, however, we have no reason to fear anyone. As the Psalmist proclaimed long ago, “If the Lord is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? If the Lord is my life’s refuge, of whom should I be afraid” (Ps 27:1).

     The third clue is this: we also have no reason to fear any circumstances, however unfair or unjust. Our hope can be found in the same promise that Jesus made to the apostles.  He promised not to ask them, nor does he ask us, to endure anything that he has not already endured in one form or another.  Jesus made it clear that our worth to the heavenly Father far exceeds that of a fallen sparrow (10:31).  No matter how bleak or unfair things appear to us, Jesus is with us to the end.  He is the source of our joy and the strength of our faith, hope, and love in this life and in the next.