Thoughts for the Day

Not Peace, but a Sword

Jesus said, ‘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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

All too often when we think of the Christian message we think of love, and Jesus as the Good Shepherds who cares for us who are His sheep. It's all warm and cuddly, starting with a new born baby and ending with the joy of the Easter resurrection. We conveniently forget the bits of the story that we don't want to remember - the squalor of a homeless mother giving birth in the dirt and cold of a stable; the years of living under the brutal Roman regime; and the ignominy and agony of death on a cross.

However today's reading from Matthew's Gospel brings the reality home. Jesus has been preparing his disciples for the challenges they will encounter as they take his message to the world. There will be a huge cost to discipleship and tough choices will have to be made, that may well affect their family relationships.

The whole passage should challenge each of us to ask questions about our loyalty and devotion to Jesus; about our love for material possessions; and our desire for peace at all costs at home. If we think of our plans for the day or week, where do we place Jesus? Is He there at all? What happens when His priorities clash with family or work ones? And can we stand up for Him when the world demands otherwise?

These questions should sincerely challenge us - not depress us - and we need to frequently revisit them, then take our concerns to Jesus, and ask for His help.

Lord Jesus Christ,
forgive us when we push our faith
to the edges of our life,
so that it becomes a lower priority.
Help us to face the challenges
that following You can bring,
and to place You at the centre
of our life.
Amen.