I have to say that I find today's gospel cry challenging; as one who grew up in a loving, caring, and respectful family, the very suggestion of not showing that respect towards one's family is hard. Of course, Jesus is using Semitic hyperbole in trying get his point across. Jesus is challenging his twelve apostles to be active in their ministry. By extension, that same invitation is given to us today. Every Sunday, when we come to Mass, we reveal our priorities: you have chosen to be in your community and not at the shops or playing golf. You want to listen to God's word, receive strength for your journey, and make a commitment to make our world that bit better.

Who would you be prepared to give your life for? Who would you want to support even it means leaving them? Charles Dickens offers such a person in his wonderful story set against the background of the horrors of the French Revolution. In the dramatic ending to 'A Tale of Two Cities', the anti-hero, Sydney Carter is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. Dickens writes that 'the sun rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise, incapable of his own help and his own happiness, sensible to the blight on him, and resigning himself to let it eat him away.' The dramatic climax of this wonderful book, originally told over a series of weekly episodes, reveals Carter's true sense of chivalry in his willingness to do the 'far better thing.' Carter, like us all is flawed and makes mistakes, but his salvation comes in his glorious self-giving.

For what or for whom would you be willing to give your life? Many people would answer that they would give their lives for their spouse or their children. Parents do not want to see their children suffer. I still remember my response to my own mum's cancer diagnosis— 'why?', I wailed in anger. 'Why not?' was her response, as a woman of true faith. A woman who was prepared to accept that cross given to her: as one who gave much more than the biblical 'cup of water' to those in need, my mother taught me the gift of giving. This was the woman who taught me that I should never go empty handed when I visit others--generosity should be contagious. This was the woman who taught me about sharing gifts and talents. This was the woman who was there for me in so many ways, offering support, correction and understanding. I daily thank God for her inspirational living of today's gospel message: she always put the needs of her family before what she wanted: in so many simple ways, I learnt from her.

In our Church we have so many examples of those who put others before themselves. I especially think of religious sisters and brothers who ran schools across our nation. These men and women have their all so that young people could receive a quality education—often in poor working-class areas. It saddens me to see that their heritage assumed into new multi academy trusts that we are told is our future. Our Catholic education system is founded on the self-giving nature of these pioneers. We forget them at our peril in our rush to move forward and follow the educational crowd. Catholic education has always sought to be prophetic—I hope and pray that our new practitioners remember that we are called to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and not some highly paid CEO!

In choosing a life of self-giving, we are not harmed or hurt. Rather we discover a new freedom that helps us to move forward in this coming week. I am in awe of those who willingly choose to put others before themselves. Selfish narcissism has no place in Christian living, yet we see so many delighting in making such a show of their faith while not wanting to accept the real challenge of today's gospel. As we saw in the witness of St Oscar Romero, nothing can kill this life of self-giving in imitation of Jesus. Only the day before he died, he said, 'If they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people.' That is the gift of the true prophet: their selflessness is so transparent that others have no hesitation in following their example. In following this challenging teaching of Jesus during this coming week, then we are helping to build up our local community of faith. As Pope Francis reminds us, we are not alone but gifted by God:

The Holy Spirit is our guide on our journey along the way of Christ– a stupendous, but difficult journey, that begins in Baptism and lasts our whole life. Following the path of Jesus leads Christians to a positive vision of life that does not deny the evils and difficulties seen in life but means instead that belief in God is always stronger than our resistance and greater than our sins. (03/11/2021)

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash