Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 13, 2020
Jesus said to his Apostles, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
“For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.
In our faith, we prize unity very highly. Community, hospitality, and fellowship are hallmarks of our religion. And yet Jesus tells us in today’s reading that he brings division. He says, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He dramatically drives home his point by describing how even family members will be set against one another.
This gospel is not about inciting conflict or inevitable family estrangement. It is about the high demands of discipleship. Following Jesus requires commitments to values and principles that will likely cause tension in our lives. And, yes, some of those tensions may even arise within our families.
Today’s gospel comes at a time when we are experiencing significant division in our society. From complex issues of racial justice to the simple act of wearing a mask or not in public during the pandemic, the tension in our country is palpable right now. I think today’s gospel speaks to our times. Jesus did not promise us a copacetic faith.
But what I really take away from this reading is the message in the final paragraph. Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.” The reading shifts from language about division to language about welcoming. To me, this says that while division is inevitable it is not insurmountable. I must stand by the aspects of my faith that lead to conflict and division, but I can still welcome others with openness and love. I can, in turn, hope that they will do the same for me. I believe that this attitude towards others is the path to meaningful dialogue in a time when division saps my strength and tests my faith daily.
Prayer
We pray this day for all broken, wounded families, Father. There is so much that tears your people—our brothers and sisters—apart: bad relationships, violence, war, illness, religious fundamentalism, economics…oh, the list goes on and on. Lord, please have mercy on us all. Heal our divisions, mend our broken hearts, bring an end to all violence. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Henry was the most important ruler of his time, and is remembered for his virtue and his careful tending of the Church and his people.
He was born in 972 to royalty in Bavaria, and was well-educated. At the age of 30, he was chosen emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. As emperor, he was surrounded at all times by honor, power, and wealth, and he fought pride and selfishness with constant attention to prayer, which gave him humility. He understood that his position was an opportunity to serve God and the people he led.
Still, he was an effective and savvy politician, and expanded the territory and influence of the empire. Along the way, he helped further establish the Church, restoring churches and monasteries in regions where it had been neglected. He wanted to spread the faith and support the poor, and the institutions he founded ensured that this work would continue past his own lifetime.
In one of his excursions against the Greeks, he fell sick and took rest at Monte Cassino, where it is said that he was cured through the intercession of St. Benedict. The illness left Henry partly disabled for the rest of his life.
Much of what has been passed down to us about Henry has been exaggerated because of his position, but it seems that he took as much care to govern himself as the empire. He helped in efforts to reform and renew the Church, and is considered the most important ruler in Europe at the beginning of the 11th century.
St. Henry’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Henry, you were the king who governed yourself with as much care as you did the empire—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Henry is in the public domain. Last accessed March 20, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
