Matthew 10:16-23
Be Fearless
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
The task of spreading the Gospel is not an easy one, nor "for sissies". From the beginning, Jesus warned us, and history to this day has verified his clear predictions. Should we hesitate or avoid our mission because of the resistance or persecution that it will or might entail? Where would we be if the Apostles or other Gospel preachers let fear dictate their actions? May we instead allow the Spirit to remove our fears and hesitations and let him speak through us, even in our smallest acts of kindness, as did St Kateri Tekakwitha, whom we honor today.
Bro, Rene
Dear God, you challenge is to be bold and fearless in our mission of living and spreading the Gospel. Renew our strength and conviction to accept this challenge. Amen.
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