Fellowship!

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Is 6:1-8; Mt 10: 24-33

Today’s Gospel highlights the real meaning of fellowship. 

Fellowship is not a fair-weather friendship, nor is it an alliance of convenience. 

The real meaning of fellowship lies in the way we can share the life of Christ. 

As we reflect on fellowship, three points need our attention and reflection. 

Equality: Jesus insists that being his disciple calls for equality of treatment, be it suffering or glory. In other words, fellowship with Jesus in suffering is essential to fellowship with him in glory. Being his disciple, we cannot expect a different treatment. 

Fearlessness: Though following Jesus involves suffering, we should be fearless so as not to conceal our faith and principles. Such fearlessness in witnessing to Jesus points to our inner character and loyalty, which are above everything.

Trust: Jesus invites us to trust in divine providence in the moments of our trials and tribulations. By invoking the example of sparrows and hairs, Jesus highlights the minuteness of divine care, which forbids us from worry or fear. We need to trust the fact that God takes notice of everything in our lives.  

Fellowship is to stand with Jesus, witness to his name, and die for him, if necessary. 

Such fellowship is a precondition for sharing in his heavenly glory. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar