Jesus tells his disciples: "Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me..." (Mtt 10: 40) which addresses how God considers those to whom the missionary disciples are sent to preach. The message is reminiscent of the Judgment of the Gentiles (Mtt 25: 31-46). In both teachings the reward from God is given on the basis of how the individual treats the evangelists who represent Christ. This reminds me of a saying related by Archbishop Mark Coleridge who said: "When people are looking for Christ may they find me and when they find me may they find Christ." This reminds us that the Church is not primarily a social, political or religious institution. She is a prolongation of the Incarnation and his saving mission to the world. To understand this better at Vatican II we were given the description as the People of God with the accompanying images, among others, of the Mystical Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ. If this is to be the case then we need to be, individually and collectively, found worthy of our association with the Saviour. If we are to be credible ambassadors for Christ our deeds and words must be consistent with his message and example. This entails a higher standard of commitment which gives priority to the mission: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Mtt 10: 37-39)
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