In today’s. Gospel, the relative pronoun rendered “whoever” occurs 10 times in 5 verses (Matthew 10:37-42).

Until Jesus, race and nationality dis-qualified eligibility as God’s Chosen People. Jesus boldly declares it no longer will be so by means of his emphasis of “whoever.” Now God’s Kingdom is available to everyone.

The first grouping of “whoever” warns that genuine relationship with God is not transactional. Then a second grouping of “whoever” describes the reward a genuine disciple is sure to receive. The final grouping of “whoever” identifies the positive signs of an intentional disciple.

It is insufficient merely to know about Jesus.

Intentional disciples – genuine followers of Jesus – labor to know Him and dare to commit to grow in love of God and love of neighbor.