FRIDAY- 14^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –A

Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23: It is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of the Father will be speaking in you.

I Reading: Hosea 14:2-10: We will not say any more, “Our God” to what our own hands have made.

The Messiah’s Warning of Persecution, 10:16-23

The true disciples must know as they go forth for Christ. They are as sheep in the midst of wolves. They can expect to be persecuted severely. They must be on their guard against men; so Christ warns his disciples how to deal with persecution and He counselled them.

1.     Two facts must be kept in mind (v.16)

a.     Are commissioned

b.     Are as sheep among wolves

2.     Counsel 1: be wise and harmless (v.16)

3.     Counsel 2: beware of men (v.17-18)

a.     The persecutors: the state and religionists

b.     The reasons you will be persecuted

1)    For the Lord’s sake

2)    To be a testimony

4.     Counsel 3: do not worry about a defence (v.19-20)

a.     God will meet your need

b.     God’s Spirit will speak through you

5.     Counsel 4: know that families will be divided (v. 21)

6.     Counsel 5: endure to be end (v.22)

7.     Counsel 6: flee persecution (v.23)

Thought: every believer must know that he/she will be looked at askance and suffer some abuse, ridicule and rejection.

The Lord’s witness is to have a snake-like mind and a dove-like spirit.

1)    He/she is to be wise in sensing threats and to respond without passion.

2)    He/she is not to provoke nor allow him/herself to be provoked.

3)    He/she is to guard against being wronged and to wrong no one.

4)    He/she is to manoeuvre out of harm and to harm no one himself/herself.

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