7/14/2023 (Friday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles:
16 “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues,
18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.
19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

7/14/2023 (Friday) Today’s gospel reflection: Matthew 10:16-23

Heroes are heroes and saints are saints because of their courage to stand up for what they believe in. For heroes, they fight and die for love of country and fellowmen. For saints and martyrs, they live and die for their faith, hope and love of God. The apostles became saints because they found the courage to heed the call of Jesus to become His followers and then to be His witnesses and missionaries. They saw how Jesus suffered and died and they were scattered and disappointed. Yet, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, they were empowered and emboldened to carry out the mission handed to them by the Lord.

History is replete with persecutions and murder of Christians especially preachers. Until now, we see and hear problems being faced by missionaries and other workers in the church. However, the power of the Holy Spirit is with the church and as Christians, we truly believe that no amount of trials and tribulations will stop the church from witnessing. No cruel wolf will completely annihilate the sheep of Christ. The people of God will keep the flame of Christ alive and the forces of darkness will not prevail it.

Verse 22 says whoever will endure to the end will be saved. This our hope and this hope gives us the courage to face even the fiercest wolf. With Jesus, we shall overcome!

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