The Foundation of Unconditional Love

This Sunday’s Gospel passage focuses upon two sets of instructions, each aimed at a different audience. Our encounter with the first teaching directed to the disciples can be somewhat unsettling. Jesus tells his followers that anyone who loves their mother and father or son and daughter more than him are not worthy of him. Does he really mean that, or are we misunderstanding this final effort in his missionary discourse as he urges the disciples to grasp the foundation of unconditional love? Some have understood this text as defining the requirement of those who enter religious or monastic life. They must renounce those primary formative relationships of family. The text, however, addresses all his disciples, as well as all who would choose to follow him, including you and me. 

This Sunday’s Gospel passage focuses upon two sets of instructions, each aimed at a different audience. Our encounter with the first teaching directed to the disciples can be somewhat unsettling. Jesus tells his followers that anyone who loves their mother and father or son and daughter more than him are not worthy of him. Does he really mean that, or are we misunderstanding this final effort in his missionary discourse as he urges the disciples to grasp the foundation of unconditional love? Some have understood this text as defining the requirement of those who enter religious or monastic life. They must renounce those primary formative relationships of family. The text, however, addresses all his disciples, as well as all who would choose to follow him, including you and me. 

For Jesus, love is the act of total self giving. By contrast, portrayals of love so frequently displayed in movies, on-line, or in novels often distort or even corrupt the very nature of this incomprehensible mystery. They romanticize and often obscure the self-giving dynamics that animate love. Even in our own world, relationships that appear or even intend to be loving can be compounded by multiple motivations. In families, so-called loving relations can be entwined with insecurities, economic needs, shared history, fear, or obligation. Love involving even the closest relationships of family can be threatened unknowingly by self-serving interests if it is not grounded first in a loving relationship with Jesus. 

Beyond family, relationships with others intended or defined as loving can be complicated by opportunism, economic gain, career advancement, or heightened social status. Jesus recognizes complexities that can warp and even falsify this fundamental experience of love. Thus, he privileges our love of him as that which will chasten and fashion truly loving and abiding relations with all others. Further, this loving relationship with Jesus is not only reciprocal but is something he has initiated. He sought us out and loved us first. Thus, our genuine response to him serves to inspire and instill a Christ-like character to all our other relationships. On one occasion, he even urges us, “Love one another. As I have loved you so you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34). Therefore, we learn truly to love one another completely by experiencing and responding to his selfless unconditional love and thus, privileging our love of him above all others.

In the second part of this Sunday’s Gospel passage, Jesus concludes his missionary discourse by turning his attention to those who support, encourage and care for the disciples in their work. At the same time, he may be encouraging the disciples not to assume hospitality but also to find ways that express gratitude for it. Being disciples is not about entitlement. Jesus says, “Whoever receives you (meaning the disciples) receives me” (Mt 10:40). Even the smallest gesture of care, such as a cup of water, provided to the follower of Christ is guaranteed a reward. Expressing gratitude in words or with simple gifts teaches gratitude. It also reminds us of our dependence upon one another.   

At times, we may be tempted to think categorically about discipleship. Some can do hands-on labor like work for justice, care for the poor, advocate for peace, or teach and evangelize. Such work, however, is not done without the help of those behind the scenes. They may not provide direct service but are essential to building up the kingdom. They support the efforts of discipleship by continued prayer or provide gifts of their monetary resources to support projects that spread the Gospel. At times these individuals provide a listening ear for those exhausted or frustrated by resistance to their work for justice. Though less visible, these followers of Jesus caring for disciples are also working in God’s vineyard and, as Jesus says, will be rewarded and regarded for their work.   

That Jesus draws attention to these unidentified caregivers as he concludes this discourse invites our consideration of this Sunday’s first reading from 2 Kings. Elijah the prophet has been provided a bed, a chair, and a table in the home of a woman when he comes to work in Shunem.  Grateful for this hospitality supporting his work, the prophet inquires what can be a reward for her. When his servant Gehazi replies that the woman lacks a child and her husband is old, Elijah promises her a son. Indeed, the next year she is rewarded with the fulfillment of this promise. Thus, the response to this Sunday’s psalm fittingly echoes not only the disciples in their works of Christ-like love but also those who, like this woman, are lifted up and rewarded for their support of such discipleship, “The promises of the LORD, I will sing forever” (Ps 89:2).