Swords and Crosses, Matthew 10:34-42

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Swords and Crosses, Matthew 10.34-42

Jesus tells us that we must face swords and crosses as his disciples. He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword that would divide his people from those who aren’t his people. In that, we must take up a cross that means self-denial, for without taking up that cross we are unworthy of Jesus.

Image: Take up Your Cross, photo by Lawrence OP, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (no changes made). Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/12672788743/in/photostream/

Cutting off the Old for the New, Matthew 10:34-42

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Cutting off the Old for the New, Matthew 10.34-42

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Jesus speaks of bringing a sword instead of peace, which is seemingly shocking. And yet, when one considers that not all will believe in Jesus, it makes sense. When Jesus renews the hearts of some and others reject him, there will be conflict and division and a sword will split people apart. This is also true of ourselves. When Jesus renews our hearts, he creates a divide within us and puts us at war with ourselves. This is his work of redemption in us, to cut off the old that the new would rise up.

Image: Scenes from Matthew 10: 34-38, by Daniel Hopfer, Licensed under CC0 1.0. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scenes_from_Matthew_10-_34-38_MET_DP835392.jpg