Monday of Week 15 – Is 1:10-17; Matthew 10:34-11:1

It is difficult to accept Jesus’ words today.

A person cares about good relationships with others, especially relatives. Thanks to them I feel loved, accepted and I belong.

But Jesus says that His Presence will divide loved ones. You will have to stand for Jesus or for another person.

Such is the Truth – uncompromising. In caring about the most important thing for a person – their salvation – sometimes things have to be said that are difficult, painful, such that they may lead to broken relationships. He speaks not so as to destroy, to crush, but to point out what needs to be corrected, conversion.

God takes us too seriously to mess around with sweet words when matters have to be clear and specific. And so too do the disciples of Jesus have to behave.

That’s how love behaves. It doesn’t paper over evil, mistakes or wrong attitudes. It sets demands because it cares.

How many times have I not accepted that truth? How many times have I felt offended by another person and broke off the relationship when they told me difficult or painful things? How many times have I not made demands guided by love and concern for the good of another person?

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12).