A couple of years ago, a young lady, a teenager, asked to see me. During our conversation, she spoke that her parents were no longer treating her well. She got fewer gifts. What she asked never got. And the list was long. I inquired from her about her activities in the house. She mentioned a number of things she did for herself. What do you do for your parents? She replied, “Nothing.” Who makes breakfast for you? She answered, “Mom does it.” Then, I requested her permission to petition something from her. She allowed me and I seized the opportunity to recommend that she voluntarily prepared breakfast for her parents during weekends a few times before I could meet her again in four weeks. Her first breakfast to her parents delighted them. Soon after the young lady came to discover how much she was loved by her parents.
Today’s first reading shows us the generosity of the lady from Shunem. Her hospitality and graciousness touched the heart of Prophet Elisha, who in return sought to answer to her greatest need, a baby boy. The lady anticipated the need of Elisha without thinking about herself and the cost of accommodating a stranger. In the Gospel, Jesus comes to confirm her deed when he says, “Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward”.
However, the Lord Jesus moves up for a higher demand than just generosity with stuff. Jesus demands a deeper attachment and commitment to him; that is true discipleship. Our relationship with Jesus Christ ought to surpass the most cherished family fidelity. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me …” The disciple’s ultimate preference goes to Jesus Christ. Discipleship requires our very lives, it calls us to self-abnegation. As disciples, we are oriented towards attending to the need of the other and not us first. We cannot ask what will happen to me whenever an opportunity to assist the other shows up. We commit fully in whatever we have to do despite how insignificant the task might appear to be, because Christ must be testified through our deeds. The time we give to the Lord Jesus in all our activities should surpass any other function of our daily living. There is a greater joy in giving than in receiving. And it is in giving that we receive.
It makes sense for us to prefer Christ because he remains forever with us. When our blood relatives disappear from our lives, Jesus abides with us. He secures our present life and the life to come. May the Spirit of the Risen Lord, the advocate, the Holy Spirit enable us to strengthen our loyalty to the Son and the Father so that we may discover the love with which God loves and find joy.