Matthew 10:17-22 NRSVue
17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you at that time, 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Sibling will betray sibling to death and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Lord, I have not been dragged before governors or kings, but there have been
social occasions when I felt like a sheep among wolves, and metaphorically
flogged for my faith. When I am under pressure, do not forget me. See that I
am given what I am to say and help me to be brave enough to say it.
Reflection
From the first day of remembering the birth of Jesus, the church remembers
the first martyr. Birth and death are intimately connected with Jesus. The
word for the place he was born is the same as the word for the 'upper room'
where he had the last supper. In many cribs depicting joy of heaven and earth
at his birth, a cross is placed in the back. We know that the destiny of this
child is for a cruel death. The upper room was also the place fop the coming
of the Spirit. In all of life, birth, death and all in-between is the
blessing of the Spirit. We can hold our hands open this day for the coming of
the spirit at the coming of the Lord.
Reflection
St Stephen, in the midst of his sufferings, placed his trust in God. Jesus'
words may well have echoed in his ears: "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."
Reflection
Wisdom, it is said, is making peace with the unchangeable. Do I make peace
with any suffering that comes my way?