Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 10: 34 — 11: 1
July 14, 2025 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

Do not think that I have come to establish 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, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Each one will have as enemies, those of one’s own family.

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 me, is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.

Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded.”

When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there, to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns.

Today’s Reflection

Why is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who had instructed His disciples to extend peace to every household, now saying that He is not bringing peace but a sword? Why is He saying that He has come “to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Is He sowing discord, disagreement, and disunity among us? Of course not.

The thrust of Jesus’ statements is the primacy of our relationship with God over any other, even close family ties. Thus, He said, “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.” No other love should compete with our love of God. To profess or act that we love our father, mother, or siblings more than God is not to love truly. True love is desiring only what is ultimately good for those we love, and there is no greater good than leading them to accept God and live in accordance with His ways. Of course, our efforts to bring people to God could give rise to objections and opposition, even from family members. When we declare our faithfulness and obedience to God, we could face disputes, defiance, dislike, or derision, even from those close to us. Our natural desire to avoid conflict and have concord, cordiality, and calm could tempt us to remain silent and subordinate our Christian mission to bring Christ to them. Let us not be lulled into inaction for the earthly “peace” and quiet it fosters, which is false, fictitious, fleeting, and will mean that we have failed in our mission.

Jesus expects every true disciple to take up His cross and follow Him. We have to commit ourselves to Christ and His commands to the point of giving up our aspirations, ambitions, abilities, assets, and even life itself, if need be. It means putting ourselves out for the sake of someone who needs to hear the Good News. We must not falter in our endeavors to bring everyone – family, friends, or foes – to the peace that only Jesus can give with the faith that with His blessings, our efforts will ultimately bear fruit.

/Vulnerasti, 2025