What is our Reward?

This talk of reward is curious and potentially misleading if we think of it as primarily about “How will I personally benefit from being a disciple or supporting others?” Especially in the context of our other readings and the state of our world. (Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Proper 8[13] Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; [Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18] Romans 6:12-23; and Matthew 10:40-42.)

Sentence:

“ … and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42

Collect:

Creator of all that is,

We pray you give us grace to see that all are precious in your sight and that you have called us to bring a cup of water to those who thirst.

Help us also to have the humility and courage to confess our needs and to receive with thanksgiving those who bring us good gifts.

Until we know ourselves as the One Body and live in respect and peace. Amen.

Reflection:

This talk of reward is curious and potentially misleading if we think of it as primarily about “How will I personally benefit from being a disciple or supporting others?” Especially in the context of our other readings and the state of our world.

If you are reading Genesis you may like to consider this blog:

Sacrifice and Surrender

Or if you wish to focus on Romans and Genesis you may like to consider this:

Who you Feed

What might Jesus have been referring to when he speaks of the prophet’s (or disciple’s) reward? It is not directly stated in Matthew but it is often suggested that the blessing of the message from God conveyed by the prophet and/or disciple, those sent to speak on behalf of God, is shared in by those who speak and those who listen and believe. This is because the envoy, the one sent to represent the powerful one (leader/god) is in effect as though the one doing the sending. So, to state that the one who welcomes the envoy/prophet/disciple is receiving Jesus, and the one who sent Jesus, is an extension of this exiting understanding from the ancient world.

But in what way is the work of envoy/prophet/disciple a blessing? Is it a far away blessing in the next life? Possibly and there are a few texts which refer to a later reward for what is done now. But even more than this the words of Jesus suggest that the blessing is now. And the blessing is described in this way – to place ourselves in the flow of grace. This is described starting from the humble ones – those who receive the ministry and message of us disciples are actually also welcoming the one of whom we speak – Jesus – and therefore of the Holy One who sent him. And the righteous ones who take up being envoys/prophets/disciples receive grace and blessing as we give – even a cup of water. When we give and receive as followers of Jesus we are blessed not as payment so much as because we are in the presence of the flow of divine grace and it flows through us as we seek to live out the love of God. We are blessed/rewarded by becoming a channel of divine love not so much for what we achieve.

And if we step back even a little further we see that we are not doing this as individuals but as a community. When a network of interconnected relationships, rather than straight and narrow channels, keep grace flowing through us all, and calling and reward become love in action rather than work and payment.

While I believe that as individuals of faith there are psycho-spiritual gifts that arise from being a disciple of Christ and seeking to grow in obedience and faithfulness – such as the personal satisfaction of living a life of purpose and integrity – I think the true reward is that we get to be part of building heaven here on earth or the community of God.

That Jesus spent so much of his time with groups of people, especially on the edges, and when he healed individuals he often then sent them back to their communities to live and bear witness, suggests that Jesus took it for granted that we live in community and what is good for the individual should also be good for the community. Judaism after all was a faith of the people and lived out in family and local community celebration. On his last night on earth Jesus gave his friends, his companions on the way, a community meal to celebrate and sustain them.

Of course it is not about our individual journey or our community but both. So let us do what is ours to do. And let us remember that all that we have, do and receive is for the whole body. So, when we are thirsty let us receive a cup of water. And when others thirst let us give a cup of water (and whatever else is needed). And we shall see that we are already in the blessed community.

Intercessions:

Creator God,

You have made all that is and know us and our neighbours by name.

We pray for all people and creatures, we give thanks for places of beauty and power.

We particularly pray for those who hunger or thirst, for those who seek refuge from violence, and those places degraded by disaster and greed.

Protect and strengthen all who seek to bring care and relief to others.

Creator God,

Hear our pray.

Jesus our redeemer and friend,

We give you thanks that you come to us in stranger and neighbour bearing gifts and needs.

We pray for all who seek your face and those who glimpse you in your precious little ones.

We particularly pray that those who gather in your name might share a cup of water with all who thirst.

And may we recognise the good gifts that your other precious ones offer us.

Help us to live on earth as we would in heaven.

Jesus, our redeemer and friend,

Hear our prayer.

Spirit of love and life,

Flow through us as we open our hearts and minds in obedience to your command to love one another.

We give you thanks that you come to us in beauty and awe, in tender concern and in the joy of communion.

So work your mystery, wisdom and healing love in us that we may grow in your likeness until we are truly alive in you.

We particularly pray for all who are weary or afraid, for those near to death and all who care for us in times of need.

We entrust ourselves and all whom we love into your tender care, now and forever.

Spirit of love and life,

Hear our prayer.

Living God,

Creator, Redeemer and Spirit of love and life,

Call us further into life until we are alive in you. Amen.

This is my work informed by all that I have heard, read and experienced. I am indebted to the wisdom of others.