These words, which conclude Jesus’ instruction on the mission of his followers (Mt 10:5-42), describe both the cost and the reward of discipleship. The price of sharing in the life and mission of Jesus is exactly the same as he paid: emptying oneself of self-love, and carrying the cross. And the reward of the faithful disciple is the reward of Christ: to share in his resurrection.

Most of these verses were originally sayings of Jesus belonging to different contexts, but Matthew brought them all together here because he felt they had something important to say about the mission of the disciples. It is interesting to see where the same sayings are found in other Gospels:

vv 37-38 in Lk 14:26-27

vv 38-39 in Mt 16:24-25; Mk 8:34-35; Lk 9:23-24

vv 39-40 in Jn 12:25-26

v 40 in Lk 10:16

v 42 in Mk 9:41

This passage also ties in hospitality with the Christian mission — and this is a lesson most needed today. Our world has become dehumanized, and we have become isolated and alienated from one another. It is up to the Christian to break down these barriers and to make room for one another in our hearts and homes.

The miracle of a barren womb conceiving and giving birth is a nice reward for hospitality to a prophet, but at first glance the two facts seem to have little further connection. There is a connection, and a profound one — the prophet receives, bears, and communicates God’s word. By the power of God’s word life is brought forth. The attitude of hospitality — opening self to the other — is profoundly maternal. And the demonstration of hospitality in this reading is filled by God’s gift of new life.

This long psalm recalls the promises God made in ancient times to David (it was written in exile, four hundred years after David), and painfully calls upon God to remember his favor in the people’s current distress. These verses are part of the psalm’s initial praise and thanks. Response: "For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."

Baptism both pledges and brings about the union of the faithful with Christ. But union with Christ cannot be a "pick-and-choose" affair — it must be union with the whole Christ. And that includes union with his death as well. The Christian is committed to die to sin and self with Christ, to become one with the sacrificed Christ in order to share his new risen life.

In these verses, Paul tells the "how" and the "why" of what had been the heart of his message from the beginning. See Acts 13:37-39; 1 Th 4:14; Gal 3:27; Phil 3:7-11; 1 Cor 15. He unfolds this doctrine even more in Colossians, which was written after Romans, especially Col 1:24; 2:9-15. The remainder of Colossians teaches the practical and moral implications of this doctrine of union with Christ. (This reading, including the omitted verses, also appears in the Easter Vigil liturgy.)

1. How is hospitality a Christian virtue? How is hospitality connected with life and death?

2. In what ways do you die and rise with Christ in the course of your life?