Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time/ July 10, 2020
Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus warned His Apostles that in their missionary journey there will be always persecutions, trials, scourging, and rejections yet there is nothing to worry for the Spirit of the Father will overshadow them and protect them from those who will hand them over to the courts or synagogues.
Jesus did not promise a beautiful, comfortable, and easy life for those who follow in His footsteps. He does somehow even ‘discourage’ those who tries to follow Him saying, ‘foxes have dens, birds of the air have nests, but the son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58); to the young man He told, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21); in Matthew 6:19 He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” In Matthew 7:13, He challenges, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” And in Luke 9:23 He said, Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” And now in our Gospel today Jesus said, “Beware for there will be persecutions, scourging, and difficult trials!” Yes, Jesus truly do not promise us comforts of this world, satisfactions and easy life, but He assures us that after all these things (troubles, difficulties, sufferings) which we are experiencing there is our ‘reward’ waiting – Beatific Vision – Face to face with the Holy Trinity.
And so, in our journey, many things will come, maybe difficult, or so heavy that we will somehow feel to give up. Unimaginable sufferings and heavy crosses which will destroy our faith and trust in the Lord. But, as the Lord Jesus said, these things will comes first! And we should never worry for the Lord will be always with us! If we only believe!
Am I ready to follow the Lord Jesus? If I am already following; am I entrusting everything in His care?
Prayer: Abba, praise and glory to You for sending us Your Only Beloved Son to be an example for us, how to believe and trust in You. May we who are faithful in following Your Son, always abide in Your Words of mercy and love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives with You in Unity of the Holy SPirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.
