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Keeping Watch: Day 24

TUESDAY, DEC 26

Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

 

 

Grace: I ask for the grace to know Jesus in a deeper way that I may abundantly love and follow him.

Who would reject the love of God? Who could be angry with me because I shared Jesus with them? That’s crazy right? No one warned me about this. Oh wait, Jesus did. I don’t think I was really listening. That’s what I thought before the attack took place. My faith has been challenged from the classroom to the board room and even in the sanctuary. Knowing I am not alone makes a difference, but still I sometimes process through the emotions created by this attack.

It was a simple hospital call, one which I dreaded. The person I was visiting had not been a supporter. Occasionally his words and innuendos caused me harm. My plan was to see him, inquire of his wellbeing and pray with him. I never got the chance. His sister-in-law met me in the hallway outside of his hospital room. Grabbing my arm, she began to berate me for being a pastor, for changing “things” at the church. I asked for security to intervene, I thought she was going to hit me. I didn’t think about God being present when a friend of mine suddenly appeared. I had no idea she was working on that floor, in that hospital that day. She took my hand, monitored my blood pressure and talked with me until I was calm. She was a witness to the actions of the sister-in-law.

Listen carefully to the words of Jesus in this scripture. He never keeps anything from us. As a disciple, we are not above receiving abuse or being hated. Our Lord did and was. How we respond is a witness to our belief and his great grace. We are not alone; God is with us. Ours is to remain faithful.

 

 

For Reflection and Prayer:

As you enter into this scripture passage again, notice how the words may both disturb and comfort you.

Can you recall an experience when Jesus both disturbs and comforts you?

What do you wish to say to Jesus?

 


The Contributor:

Sue Huntsman, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, has pastored different congregations across South Texas for 23 years. Praying the Spiritual Exercises opened me to the fullness of God’s presence and activity in my daily life.

Learn more about  Magis Ignatian Spirituality Programs


Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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