Matthew 10:
24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 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—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37 “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. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Jesus is addressing his teaching to the disciples about the nature of their mission and how to be instruments of truth, preaching Jesus as the core of their mission. Jesus’ Kingdom is built upon His person who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life!" The truth that leads to life has many challenges, even within the same house and the same family.
According to His custom, Jesus is using the social context of His time to illustrate this message. Nothing is more important for Eastern cultures than the family. We refer to the family components as father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, daughter in law, mother in law, etc. These people may be living under the same roof apparently united by a passive peace, but spiritually or morally distant from each other because of some differences about Justice and Righteousness, which is symbolized by the sword!
Jesus is telling us that the bond of love within the family should have its roots and fruits in God's Love and Truth, not in “my” truth but God's, otherwise a double-edged sword will divide the family members and much more the social groups.
Loving my own family is great, important and beneficial, but no love should be reciprocated to anyone more than that love of Christ! We remember when Jesus was presented at the Temple by His parents. Simeon took Him in his arms and said to His mother, "He is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed" (Luke 2:34). The sword is still used in Christian art to depict God's power as we see Archangel Michael holding a sword and Prophet Elijah defeating evil. Saint Paul, because of his apostolic teaching and preaching is depicted by many church artists holding a sword as well. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as a sword: living and active; it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword." In doing so, it separates even family members from each other.
Say yes to Justice and Righteousness, but never ignore or despise those who don't accept Christ as Lord and Savior. We have to remain faithful to our Christian vocation and mission of love and respect, trying to be perfect as our Father is and to respond to those who ask us about the reason for our hope with kindness and dignity. 1 Peter 3:15-16, "Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have. But give it with gentleness and dignity..."
This week, we are invited to check the quality of our relations to others, especially those who don't share our faith or convictions.