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Gospel Reading for July 15, 2024 – Matthew 10: 34-11: 1
NO SALVATION
Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his 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 his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple– amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”
When Jesus finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
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A lot of Filipinos in communities and workplaces tend to compromise or allow rules to be bent just to avoid conflict, thinking that it is a way of attaining peace. However, it is this that usually brings about more conflict because others will demand to be treated the same way, therefore, peace cannot really be attained.
If we think that Jesus is speaking contrary to what is said during his nativity in Luke 2: 14 – “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” then it would be good for us to understand it within the context mentioned above.
There is no compromise or bending of rules in the teachings of Jesus. It is just “good” or “evil” and no in-betweens. Otherwise, peace CANNOT BE ATTAINED and there would be NO SALVATION. Though painful most of the time, we need to allow division to happen within our families, communities and group of friends when we truly follow Jesus. A lot of times, the reason for compromise in the family is economic, and yet, we always pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” If we truly believe in our prayer, we will do our best to make both ends meet without compromising our Christian values. Whatever our reasons are, we need to stand firm in our prayer: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we are sincere in our prayer, the Holy Spirit will always be available to make a way.
Let us ponder on this song written by Don Moen, GOD WILL MAKE A WAY-
God will make a way
where there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see.
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
hold me closely to His side.
With love and strength for each new day.
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me.
Rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade
but His Word will still remain
and He will do something new today.
