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Greetings, SBT Readers:
"How worried are you about the health risks of wildfire smoke?" So begins an online article that explains how pro-longed exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to a 0.5 percent increase in the risk of dying from a lung tumor or brain tumor. The Government of Canada's website, in fact, warns citizens "There’s no evidence of a safe level of exposure for some of these pollutants. This means that smoke can impact your health even at very low levels. As smoke levels increase, your health risks increase. Air pollution may be present even when you can't see or smell smoke."
Until reading this article, I treated the smoke that has recently enveloped the Chicago area as an inconvenience, a temporary irritant that causes watery eyes and a fog while driving. Further exploration of the Canadian website, however, quickly changed my perspective: wildfires are here to stay and, because of global warming, will intensify, especially in hot weather; the only safe response is to stay indoors in a well-vented, airconditioned space. But who would be willing to stay indoors, living in a bubble while the beauty of the outdoors summons us? If air quality continues to decline to the point that simply breathing is hazardous to our health, what lifestyle adjustments will we need to make simply to stay alive? And who will be able to afford these adjustments? Certainly, not the homeless who live on the streets or in tent cities. Certainly, not the migrants seeking to cross borders in search of a better life. And certainly not those who work outside, especially in construction, farming, landscaping, street sanitation, roadworks, etc. Predictably, it will be the wealthy who are able to afford the necessary lifestyle adjustments and the high-tech equipment involved, while, as usual, the poor and vulnerable will be the ones who suffer the worst consequences. The logical solution, of course, is not to modify our homes and ways of living but to reduce our carbon footprint, thereby reducing the global impact of climate change.
Just some thoughts on a smokey afternoon...
Many Blessings!
Elizabeth
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Link to the Sunday Readings
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Mt 10:37-42
There is a dividing line in today's Gospel which cuts through the text, leaving readers -- or listeners-- wondering if they have missed something. Perhaps a much-needed transition was lost in translation -- or perhaps this section of the earliest papyrus manuscript was fragmentary; either way, there are two halves to the Gospel, two seemingly-unrelated themes which the New American Bible (NAB) names as "The Conditions of Discipleship" and "Rewards." These headings are helpful, especially when viewed in context. In Matthew 10, Jesus is not speaking to the crowds but to the apostles. The entire chapter records his instructions to the Twelve before he sends them on their mission to heal the sick and cast out demons. Admittedly, the chronology is confusing: in Mt 10:5, Jesus sends the apostles on their way but in Mt 10:6. we learn that he first gives them specific instructions. This Sunday's Gospel, then, reflects Jesus' words as he "onboards" the Twelve to share in his ministry.
"The Conditions of Discipleship" continues Matthew's theme of persecution and hardships but this time with a domestic twist. The apostles know all too well what Jesus means. They have left behind family responsibilities to follow him and it is likely that those closest to them are pressuring them to return home where they are needed. Who will look after the apostles' parents in their old age? Who will financially support their families now they have left behind their fishing nets and ledgers? Who will be there to provide love and moral guidance to their children and to train them as apprentices in the family business? The temptation is to return home, but Jesus points out that discipleship is not for the faint of heart -- in fact, it demands a heavy cross, a letting go of one's own dreams and desires, even of one's loved ones.
Then comes the section on "Rewards." Perhaps this is Jesus' attempt to "sweeten the deal." Yes, there will be persecution and losses of various kinds, but the apostles will be greeted as prophets and holy men. Not only will they bring blessing to all those who offer them hospitality but they themselves will have the honor of representing Jesus and of being welcomed for his sake. Their role is to be his emissaries and those who receive them will receive the very presence of God.
Today's Gospel functions like a training manual for the apostles; however, it also holds wisdom for anyone who professes to be a Christian. "The Conditions of Discipleship" is a stark reminder that Jesus can be a source of division (Mt 10:34-36). It may be that our beliefs conflict with the beliefs of friends and relatives, causing conflict when it comes to practicing our faith. Or it may be that our core values do not mesh with the values of the organizations, institutions or companies for which we work; this might result in having to speak out against unjust policies or being fired for exposing what nobody else is willing to see. Worst of all, it might mean standing against other Christians who not only violate everything sacred about their calling to follow Jesus but also break the law -- as in cases of clerical pedophilia. The cover-ups at the highest ecclesial levels indicate heinous moral failure not only on on the part of the perpetrators but also of their protectors who placed loyalty to the institution before the safety of children. To their lasting shame, they missed Jesus' words on the cost of being a disciple. They forgot there is always a price for taking a stand and for letting our voices be heard, that there are always consequences for insisting upon justice and accountability. For Christians, staying silent is not an option.
But let's focus on the rewards that Jesus promises. Anyone who has ever been involved in any form of ministry or outreach to those in need knows the immense joy that springs up when we touch other lives. Whether we are teaching, providing social care, tending to the sick, offering guidance, volunteering, or doing anything that brings a little comfort to another person, we ourselves feel more alive, more purpose-driven, more fulfilled. And whether we are conscious of this or not, our acts of kindness manifest the Presence of the Holy One whose Love shines through us, through our thoughts, our words, our hearts....
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