But 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.
In Saint Matthew's tenth chapter we hear Jesus' teaching his disciples how to approach their missionary work. "Beware of men!" he says. Since the day Jesus died the world has tried to tell his missionaries what they really mean.
"If Jesus is God he couldn't die on a cross," they said, "he only appeared to die."
No, we say. He died; we saw it. There was no pretense.
"Then it only seemed like he was raised up!"
No, we say, he was raised up. We saw it.
"He was resuscitated? "
No, he was resurrected!
"These are just beautiful myths; isn't that right? You use myths to teach good morals."
No, they are historical facts. He lived, died and was raised. We saw it.
Beware of those opinions, prejudices and beliefs that would alter, amend and finally dismiss the Gospel. Eve committed her original sin when she added "or even touch it" to the word of God. When she did that she effectively invited the Serpent to add his lie to hers, "You certainly will not die."
This struggle to announce the Gospel resembles the challenges many people face as they speak out against tyranny. Everyone must speak her own truth despite the contrary voices, insinuating suggestions, and flat-out contradictions of those around her. Sometimes authorities oppress because they want everyone to be happy, or agreeable, or work like a team, or project an image of solidarity. Sometimes their aims are more cynical; they would have us hide their deceit. There will always be powerful forces that would make us conform to the way things have always been, are, and always will be.
Jesus warns us about the "men" who will hand you over to courts, and scourge you in their synagogues. If disciples of Jesus cannot agree with popular interpretations of the Gospel, "men" will resort to stronger measures. Although prisons are built for liars and thieves, "men" don't mind using them for those who speak an inconvenient truth.
Saint Augustine reminded us, "It always takes courage to speak the truth." And so we pray daily for that Spirit of Jesus which speaks the truth when convenient and inconvenient, in every circumstance.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.