2 Kgs. 4:8-11, 14-16a; Ps 89:2-3, 16-19; Rom. 6:3-4, 8-11; Mt. 10:37-42
Today, Jesus reveals one of his eternal truths we recognize as the law of reciprocity. Reciprocity is considered in general a “give and take”, an exchange of generosity with a sense of obligation. The difference with God is that we cannot outgive the Lord for his love is eternal.
Elisha was treated with generosity by Shunem providing him not only a meal but a place to stay. Elisha felt obliged to return some favor “Can anything be done for her?” The return was far greater than imagined when he promised her “a baby son”. Elisha uses the power of his gift from God in reciprocity for her unselfish attention to the need of Elisha.
Jesus presents to the apostles similar examples of the law of reciprocity, “whoever receives a prophet…will receive a prophet’s reward”, or a “righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. Even something as small as a cup of water to someone who needs a drink will not be overlooked. Generosity underlies God’s law of love. If we seek love the place to begin is with an act of generosity.
If we seek God let it begin with an act of sacrificial generosity. It begins with taking up our cross and follow where God leads us even in welcoming death as most of the apostles experienced. Who among us does not carry a “thorn” of suffering, physical, psychological, or spiritual in need of healing. The suffering of the cross can also be a hardship in caring for others, setting aside our personal needs to care for someone.
In suffering however, we must discern God’s will for us. The well-known Serenity Prayer leads us to discern the difference by praying for the “serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” The full prayer calls us to surrender to His will and we can do that by offering it up and as an act of trust even when in our understanding we cannot see the purpose it brings. These are the moments to remember “let go and let God”.
What is the “end goal”? It is what waits for us in eternity. It is not about “my way” but about his plan of salvation. This life is our battle ground and some battles are won by the grace of God but some we must leave to God and his divine providence. The victory is his to win, ours is not to question why, ours is to persevere in good times and in bad for eternity will fulfill the law of reciprocity in ways we cannot imagine.
The book of Roman’s reminds us we were baptized into his death. We live for God in Christ Jesus by denying ourselves the temptation to sin. To empty ourselves of the temptation to sin requires an active intent to fill our lives in generosity doing the good that brings truth, justice, peace, and unity in our daily encounters with others. The reciprocity that comes to us comes with the power to overcome not only the world but our very self and rise from death to life.
Jesus is the light seeking a nation of saints “no others need to apply”. The application is received in baptism. It is the beginning not the final call to holiness. Jesus provides the way to holiness in the sacramental life of the church. The law of reciprocity reminds us if we deny him in the sacramental life of the church, he may deny us because by our will we have turned from him to choose another path. For every act there is a reciprocal act in the universal plan from God. Let us seek God’s mercy so that even in death the reciprocal response may be our final cleansing in purgatory for the will of God is that all may be saved and our hope lies in his love and mercy.
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