Gospel: Matthew 10: 34: 11: 1
It is often the case that the mission of providing healing, liberation, and nourishment to all people without exception will face hostility and violence. Throughout the Gospels we find people objecting to Jesus healing people who are foreigners, unclean, or unworthy in their eyes. We find them object to every instance of Jesus freeing someone from their demons. We find protest at Jesus eating at table with sinners of all types. Running throughout is the growing plan to execute Jesus.
Our world is no different today. Notice the vitriol at any attempt to help and defend immigrants, migrants, refugees, the poor and marginalized of all stripes. Observe the hatred when sinners of all kind are welcome to the table of the Lord by those who think themselves to be the bouncers at the Lord's banquet. The opposition to the mission of Jesus is alive and well, present in our families and sadly in our faith communities too.
Today's Gospel portion is set in the context of the mission of the disciples. Jesus is not asking us to declare war on anyone. The mission of love will provoke inexplicable anger and violence in others. But as this chapter has noted, our focus is to be solely on providing mercy and care to others. If opposition and violence comes our way, we are to bear it as Jesus himself did, forgiving those who would do us harm.
No comments:
Post a Comment