SHEEP AMIDST WOLVES - reflex on Matt 10:16-23
Today’s Gospel may make us think twice about being disciplesof Jesus! He has called the Twelve and begun to give them instructions abouttheir mission in the world, and he is very straightforward about what it willlook like. It is not all sunshine and roses.
On the contrary, he sending them “like sheep in the midst ofwolves” where they will be handed over to the courts and scourged because theywill be “hated by all.” Hm. We might anticipate that they would run from a taskwith this kind of job description. Why don’t they?
They remain with Jesus for the same reason WE remain withJesus: because Jesus really is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the image ofthe invisible God, the One who loves us to the end, giving himself over todeath, even death on a cross, so that we can be with him for all eternity inthe House of the Father!
Jesus is not trying to scare them away with this reality check.Rather, he is helping to free them of their mistaken notion that they willreign on thrones in this world, and giving them instructions for how theyshould respond to the persecution that will come: they must be “shrewd asserpents,” not oblivious to what is happening against them, but also “simple asdoves” in their singlemindedness about their mission; they must not worry abouthow they are to speak, but focus on remaining open to the Holy Spirit, Who willspeak through them.
Why must they suffer these things? “As a witness before them.”Persecution – even the little persecutions we undergo in everyday life – are alwaysan opportunity to witness to thetruth, in love. When we respond with love, when we remain steadfast in thetruth, when we do not let the opinions of others keep us from doing what isright, we are witnessing to the truth that Jesus Christ really is Lord of ourhearts. When this is difficult (and let’s face it: even something as simple as statingthe truth about the sanctity of human life or making the Sign of the Cross in arestaurant can be difficult, and can be looked down upon even by fellowCatholics!), we can either be conquered by our need for human approval, or wecan conquer the subtleties of the opposition by doing the right thing. Will webe conquered or will we conquer?
Jesus gives his disciples the way to conquer: be aware, butdo not worry; trust in the Spirit to guide our words and actions; above all, persevere. He does not say those whomake great speeches will be saved, or those whose lives are marked withdramatic witness, or those who glow in the dark because of their holiness! Hesays, simply: “Whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
We must steadfastly persevere in doing what is right andgrowing in relationship with Jesus, so that we can do what we are called to do.So let us all pray for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially fortitude, and receive the fruit offaithfulness, no matter what kind of opposition we face today.