SWORD OF TRUTH - 7/11/22 (Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot)

Matthew 10:34-36

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071022.cfm

For more information on the Memorial of St. Benedict, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/july-11---saint-benedict-abbot/

For the examination of conscience and guide to confession, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Blessed Memorial of St. Benedict! Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. If this is the case, why does He say that He did not come to bring peace upon the earth but a sword? To understand this more, it's important to recognize that the authentic peace from God is different from the inauthentic peace from the world. Just as how people may misunderstand what true love is, we may also misunderstand what true peace is. We accept the peace that our Lord offers when we desire to be reconciled with Him by living out our faith. There are some who understand peace as if it's just about the unity of people, regardless of whether this unity is centered on God or not. 

Our Savior tells us that He brings a sword. He sets men against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, and everyone even against their own families. This does not mean that God wants us to be angry with one another or to intentionally make a division. Rather, the sword He is referring to is the Sword of Truth. The truth of the gospel will bring true peace in the hearts of the believers, but it will bring division to some people who may not be acting in accordance to the will of God. We will experience interior joy in serving our Lord, but when some people see our Catholic devotions and beliefs, they may oppose us harshly, even if they are our family members and close friends. 

Why does this happen? The sins that people may participate in provide empty satisfactions and fleeting pleasures. Even though this is wrong, when one engages in sins, that person becomes attached to it. The gospel of the Lord and the teachings of the Catholic Church invite us to persevere in holiness by following Jesus, but this also means giving up the ways and ideologies of the world. When others feel disturbed because of being unable to get the pleasures from sins, they may react negatively against our Lord, and we may be the target of their persecutions and harsh comments. Because of believing in the truth of Christ, we may receive false accusations and lies from others. 

Let's not lose hope during the times we encounter these unfortunate occasions. This is truly a difficult moment especially if the negative comments come from people whom we really love. We may feel sad because we desire for them to also find joy in glorifying God, and we desire to be united with them in persevering to holiness, but the opposite may take place. May we remember to find strength in our Lord who is offended by the sins of the world, as we see on the Cross. And yet, His love for us never fades, and He remains patient with us despite the fact that He bore our sins. His acceptance of our weaknesses should inspire us to accept the reality that not everyone will be faithful to the Lord. Even we can fall to temptations as well. But, with this acceptance, we will remain at peace because we entrust them to Jesus, and we are given the opportunity to love them by bearing their faults. If we choose to carry our own crosses, we will receive our reward in heaven, everlasting life. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic