“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Friday, 8th July 2016,
Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Hos 14: 2-10;
Ps 50: 3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17;
Mt 10: 16-23
SHEEP AND WOLVES!
“The tree that bears good fruits gets more stones”; likewise every Christian who sincerely follows the gospel values will undergo persecutions. In today’s Gospel Jesus gives us certain instructions, when such things come on our way, what we need to do. “You are sent out like sheep among wolves”. Jesus calls us sheep because we are defenseless and do not use violence; instead we use message of love, forgiveness, peace and justice as our weapons to treat our persecutors. And these spiritual values become a threat to them so they are eager to destroy us.
Secondly, “You must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves”. We need to be creative and inventive while dealing with the matters of the world or it may engross our spiritual life and we may become worldly.
Thirdly, “do not worry about what to say and how to say it.” The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) descended on the Apostles during the Pentecost and strengthened them to bear witness to Christ. We have received the same Spirit of God during our Baptism; he will guide us and speak through us when we are questioned by the authorities, provided we cooperate with him.
The words of Jesus encourage and strengthen us in the face of increasing threats from fundamentalists. As followers of Christ one may face challenges in life; may be handed over to the authorities; may break up families; may be betrayed and ill-treated by the society and so on. During these persecutions one must not become a wolf, rather remaining as sheep must continue to follow the gospel values and must bear witness to Christ wisely and creatively. When everything is done for the love of Christ, our life’s purpose is fulfilled and we will have our reward in the life to come.
Prayer: Dear Lord, make me know your ways and guide me along your path so that I may sincerely follow Your words and creatively bear witness to You. Amen.
Copyright ©2013-2016 ©JoyCat, Joy of the Catholic Life: see www.joy-cat.blogspot.com.
