Etching by Rembrandt van Rijn, ca. 1657.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus warns us: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.”
This is quite the statement, especially since we know Christ as the Prince of Peace, not “Beacon of Chaos” or “Harbinger of Swords.” So, we can only imagine just how angry and resentful the Pharisees must’ve felt! This rabbi, this teacher… how dare He try and invoke the wrath of Rome! How dare He try to destroy this fragile peace we’ve built with this great, powerful empire! Now surely, they’ll stomp on us all!
But Jesus was right. He wouldn’t end up bringing peace. He would also never be fully accepted by the world, and this is in part due to Him not being its “prince.” Christ is, instead, mocked, belittled, and thought up to be a mere myth. Some argue He never even existed. If only they knew the Truth.
Jesus goes on to say He has come to “set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” This is relevant especially today, as we Christians are often teased and poked at by those we care about.
What this means, though, is that when we choose to follow Christ, we choose a life of pain, but also one of immense rewards. This is why when we welcome Him, we are judged and persecuted by those who don’t. They just don’t understand why we follow Him or reject the world and all it offers! And yet this tenacity is exactly why He chose us! We are to be ambassadors of Christ and love Him more than anything in this world.
This does not mean we cannot love our family or our job or our country. However, if we fully focus on them and push God away, then we will certainly fall apart. Idolatry is a powerful thing, and we must avoid it at all costs, and that is what Jesus means. We shouldn’t hate our family or those we love, but we should detach ourselves from the world.
In the end, we are being sent out to receive and welcome others. And in welcoming each other, we welcome Christ. This is why small acts of kindness are always important. You never know when someone might be having a bad day. Sometimes a cup of water is all one needs.
Jesus ultimately wants us to risk everything for His glory. Today’s Responsorial Psalm says: “To the upright I will show the saving power of God.” So, when we’re righteous, we will receive righteous rewards! And though this may be challenging, the fruits of our labor will always be worth it, for we shall be happy, and all shall be well.