Word to the Wise
Friday, July 11, 2014 - Friday in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
[Hos 14:2-10 and Matt 10:16-23]Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. [Matt.]
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014 ST. BENEDICT, abbot
[Hosea 14:2-10 and Matthew 10:16-23
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
The Gospel of Matthew was composed not only with the purpose of remembering Jesus but also with encouraging and warning disciples about the challenges of preaching the gospel. What Jesus describes in this passage was already taking place when the gospel was put into writing. It was a way of telling the present disciples that Jesus had already warned them about the possibility of persecution. The teachings that they would be proclaiming are a direct challenge to the powers of evil in the world.
In our own time we do not have to look far to see how true this continues to be. A disciple has to be creative and wise in order to bear effective witness to Christ. The style of Pope Francis is an example. He may seem very simple and open in his way, but he is no fool and has a definite goal in mind! There are many competing philosophies that are incompatible with Christianity now just as there were in Jesus' own time. The Church stands on the shoulders of centuries of men and women whose faith attracted others. Controversy will always be a part of discipleship, even violence. But there is also a great joy and peace that we can share if we avoid "privatizing" our faith. When I was a campus minister, I was always aware that a student might be open to an invitation to just come one Sunday! A chance encounter could be a saving event. "Invitation" can be an innocent and shrewd form of evangelization! If we encounter resistance, we can't say we weren't warned! AMEN
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