Monday, July 11, 2011
St. Benedict, Abbot (Memorial)
by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
Matthew 10: 34 - 42 | |
34 | "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. |
35 | 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; |
36 | and a man's foes will be those of his own household. |
37 | He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; |
38 | and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. |
39 | He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. |
40 | "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. |
41 | He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. |
42 | And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." |
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED MONDAY TO ALL!
Family unity is a source of strength to each member of the family. A family that is beset with misunderstanding and disagreement cannot provide inspiration and security to its member. Conflict and contradiction in the family would eventually create hostility and hatred among the members. And so there is the saying that goes: united we stand, divided we fall. Therefore, unity and harmony in the family is of prime importance and so an inherent aspiration of every family.
The Gospel today, however, presents to us a very intriguing scenario on family relationship. It seems to go against the natural propensity and aspiration of every family for unity and harmony. Jesus must have shocked his listeners, whom he required in yesterday’s Gospel to listen and hear him, when he declares "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on 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 a man's foes will be those of his own household.” These words must be felt to be too hard by those who listen to him. How can one make these words of Jesus to fall on the good soil of one’s heart for it to bear manifold fruits? One can easily let it pass by and let the “birds” take them, or the “sun” makes it wither, or the “thorns” to choke up, for Jesus’ words can destroy the family. What did Jesus mean when he said that he brings a “sword” than “peace”? Jesus is very clear that he comes to sow opposition and resistance. According to Jesus, in one’s household one finds one’s foes. Is Jesus anti-family?
In one of the Gospel readings last week, specifically last Saturday, Jesus was challenging his disciples not to be afraid to those that destroy the body but what can destroy the soul. If one has to be afraid, one has to have the FEAR of the LORD. I think it is in this context we can understand the full import of the Gospel today. The SWORD that Jesus brings is the uncompromising demand of Jesus to those who listen and hear him to make a CHOICE. Jesus wants us to CHOOSE GOD ABOVE ANYTHING and ANYONE ELSE. One has to make such choice and NOT to be AFRAID about it even if such choice is a SWORD that will CUT one’s family’s harmony into ANTAGONISM and OPPOSITION. Jesus must have said that he will set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and even so make the whole household one’s foe, because he wants us to choose God over our father, mother, siblings and in-laws. That is why Jesus makes it clear that “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Our LOVE for GOD will require us to make Him the FIRST in our lives. That will surely create division from those who will insist themselves to be made the first. This love for God then will demand the giving up of anything/anyone if such attachment can destroy one's soul. Our family and friends can then become our enemy if they hinder us from doing God’s bidding. Making this primary choice for God has its corresponding promise reward from God. We have our entrance into God’s HEAVENLY HOUSEHOLD.
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