DAILY GRACE
July 13, 2020, Monday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Scripture: Matthew 10:34-11:1
‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’
Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Meditation
“. . . I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
The “sword,” commentators say, isn’t to be taken literally. It’s an image for division. However, when Matthew’s Gospel was written, Christians were being denounced to the pagan authorities as traitors against the “divine” emperor. Some of them were even betrayed by family members, and the result was indeed death.
In twenty-first century, North American culture, violent persecution of religion is rare. People in general are more tolerant, and many families tend to accept their member’s shifts in religious allegiance with little comment. But as we know, clashes over religious beliefs and political positions borne of them are becoming more frequent. The issue of racial equality, and the desire to address historical inequities, is at the heart of the protests taking place today, and for many, if not most, their protest is grounded in their religious belief.
When a moral issue is brought up in the home or workplace, sometimes we would rather not speak out. We hope that our silence will get the message across. Perhaps it will, but not always. Sometimes we have to speak out if we’re going to be true to our beliefs. And sometimes we have to listen if we are to be true to our beliefs. That’s one way the cross comes into our lives today.
It’s tricky — finding a way to express our belief with charity. Usually we can presume right intention and goodwill on the part of whoever holds a different view. If we present our perspective with kindness, we may not convince that person to change his or her viewpoint, but then again, perhaps we will. And if we listen with kindness, we may find our own viewpoint changing.
Prayer
Lord, speaking out that which I believe the Gospel stands for is at times difficult. Also, listening for what the Gospel stands for can be difficult. Both the speaking and the listening can be a cross to bear. Help me to speak with charity, and help me to listen with charity. Never let me forget that the other person is probably as sincere in his or her belief as I am in mine, and deserving of respect as a human being, made in your image. Enlighten me as to what to say, listen and do. Amen.
Contemplation
What is my witness?