Let Trinity Speak – Reflection on Matthew 10:16-23
Faith requires tolerance, especially if God asks us to be present for others, even in uncomfortable situations. It is sometimes hard to push back our opinions and let Trinity speak through us. This is especially true in conversations when we are also struggling to deal with what or how someone is saying something we disagree with. How we feel may not be apparent because this is a form of persecution when our Christian values and morals are at play. From personal experience, I tend to want to soften the blow of what should be said because I do not want to start a controversy. I should know better by now, but I am not satisfied when I leave these conversations. Unfortunately, what we think we have heard God speak in our hearts unconsciously becomes charged with our feelings. So far, I am only moderately successful but learning what I should do. Noticing these emotional influences is the first step towards resisting our thoughts and trusting the Lord’s grace and courage to persevere. However, we must remember God also protects us, so it is also possible that our best action may be to walk away.
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot (full resolution painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 10:16-23 – Scripture*
Coming Persecutions
16 “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 10:16-23 Reflection – Let Trinity Speak.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the Matthew 10 Bible passage.
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