From the Sunday Note, with additional thoughts…
“Whoever receives you receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man
because he is a righteous man
will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones to drink
because the little one is a disciple—
amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”
Conclusion of Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew 10:40-42
Jesus draws a straight line from his disciples to himself to his Father. How we respond to his disciples is how we respond to Jesus is how we respond to the One who sent him. A short, direct line.
He also refers to those disciples as “these little ones” –as they most certainly are, in comparison to Jesus himself or his Father. No matter what their chronological age, all of them are, in fact, “little ones” who still have a lot of growing up to do themselves to become “perfect [completed] even as their Father in heaven is perfect.” Just like ourselves.
Leave the judging of priests, pastors, popes, even church secretaries, to God. Instead of judging them, Jesus suggests treating them with simple, generous kindness—a cup of cold water. Life-giving refreshment on scorching summer days. His statement works in another way, too. If they ask for money enough to, say, buy a personal airplane—as has happened with occasional fame-seeking priests and preachers—simply toss a cup of cold water on that.
For further reflection:
It is obvious that we, too, are ‘little ones’ in Christ’s eyes. If the great Peter, John, and other Apostles are ‘little ones,’ then we, their offspring in faith, must be little ones. In fact, we realize we are ‘littler ones’ than they are, and we always will be. Praised be he, the Lord, who always treasures his little ones, and who will bring into his everlasting kingdom all those who trust in Him!