+ Our gospel passage today continues St. Matthew's accounting of what we heard St. Luke report about last Sunday: Jesus sending out the disciples (and Apostles) to proclaim that "The Kingdom of heaven is at hand." Again, these disciples are sent as sheep in the midst of wolves; they are to be as shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. They are to beware of men who will mistreat them and hand them over to courts to defend their seeming antagonistic religious ways. But they are not to worry about their defense, because the Holy Spirit will speak the truth through them. Because of the name of Jesus all will hate them – even their own family members. They are to flee from town to town – spreading the true gospel – and not being afraid. They will not run out of towns before the Son of Man comes in glory!
May we today be willing to be used by the Holy Spirit to speak the truth of the gospel in our own day in age – which is in many ways even more pagan than the world of the Roman Empire. We will not be popular for doing so, maybe even hated by some, but then we are in good company, popularity is not the reason to be a follower of Christ. We must take up our Cross and follow him who carried his own for us and for our salvation!
May we always declare God's praises – who rewards those who are faithful to him, come what may!
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