Reflection from Rev Paul Smith

Matthew 10:34-39

[Jesus said:] “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law —
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (NIV)

Reflection

As we live in a country where the Christian Church has been accepted as part of our society for centuries, even millennia, it is easy to think of our church or chapel which is friendly, although struggling a bit, and where we can find a welcome and (usually) friendly people.

But what about other parts of the world? Would these words of Jesus seem more apposite there?….”not peace but a sword…….” e.g. place where to be seen walking into your little church would be noticed unfavourably by your neighbour? Or where being a Christian in your particular community in counter-cultural?

Closer to home, maybe family issues here in North Devon mean that Christian commitment equals conflict.

In these sort of situations, the whole idea of conflict and persecution associated with discipleship fits better with these sayings of Jesus: “I do not bring peace but a sword.” Perhaps, even, the conflict and pain of division is inside ourselves with their origin in past experiences. Perhaps the wound of a past relationship? So don’t dismiss these words of Jesus as archaic, please.

Even so, what would a call to real discipleship mean to you now? Real commitment to more intense worship than you are used to, commitment to unselfish (maybe irksome) Christian service or a way of life? .Perhaps this is an opportunity for us to rethink what is means to be a Christian.

A prayer.

Dear Lord God, even though each one of us is different, help us to be grateful for the way you have made us, and for the world we live in. Let us talk people out of bombing and fighting; let us respect others and also try to think how they feel, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sarah Eccles from Northern Ireland

Quoted from “Favourite Prayers” Cassell.1998.

Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000