Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
Almighty God,
send down upon your Church
the riches of your Spirit,
and kindle in all who minister the gospel
your countless gifts of grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 37.3-6, 27-28
Trust in the Lord and be doing good;
dwell in the land and be nourished with truth.
Let your delight be in the Lord
and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him,
and he will bring it to pass.
He will make your righteousness as clear as the light
and your just dealing as the noonday.
Depart from evil and do good
and you shall abide for ever.
For the Lord loves the thing that is right
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Reading
Matthew 10.16-23
Jesus said to the twelve, ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When 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; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’
Reflection
Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Today’s reading leads us into strange territory. Thus far, in the tenth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus has been urging us to be pro-active in the proclamation of the Good News. We have also been urged to model our faith by journeying in a spirit of generous love that is akin to the generosity God has shown us. Then comes today’s reading. Today Jesus is warning us not to harbour any misunderstanding about what it could mean to follow his command to the letter.
We live in a dangerous world where faith in God is not always respected. Indeed, those who travel in faith are often perceived as weak, and are marked out for persecution. In the western world Christians are not likely to be condemned and imprisoned for their faith, but that is not so throughout the world. In many countries Christians are persecuted and even executed just because they espouse the teachings of Jesus Christ. And yet, those Christians have received the same commission to: go, proclaim the good news.
Jesus knew that the Christian journey would not be easy. Jesus knew that he was sending us out like sheep into the midst of wolves. Jesus knew that, whilst remaining steadfast in faith, we should be ready to turn the cunning and wisdom of this world into tools of peace, love and service.
We need to be careful when we engage with today’s reading. Jesus is not giving us carte blanche to be as deceitful and self-centred as those amongst whom we might find ourselves. Jesus is reminding us to travel with our eyes open as we place all of our trust in him. Sometimes we may be tempted to use human guile to defend ourselves. But, such a course of action turns us from sheep into wolves. When we are tempted to behave in this way Jesus reminds us that the right words will be given to us by God’s Holy Spirit, and that we should remain faithful as we await that divine inspiration.
Let us pray for the courage to journey through this life steadfast in our faith. Let us pray that we might never be tempted to stray from Christ’s faithful flock into the ravening pack of Satan’s wolves. Let us pray that we might never be daunted as we go and proclaim the good news.
Prayer of intercession
In the power of the Spirit, and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
You have called us into the family of those who are the children of God. May our love for our brothers and sisters be strengthened by your grace.
You have called us to be a temple where the Holy Spirit can dwell. Give us clean hands and pure hearts, so that our lives will reflect your holiness.
You have called us to be a light to the world, so that those in darkness come to you. May our lives shine as a witness to the saving grace you have given for all.
You have called us to be members of your body, so that when one suffers, all suffer together. We ask for your comfort and healing power to bring hope to those in distress.
You have called us to be the Bride, where you, Lord, are the Bridegroom. Prepare us for the wedding feast, where we will be united with you for ever.
Jesus, Lord of the Church, hear our prayer and make us one in heart and mind to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
Prayer for the week
Heavenly Father,
grant us anew your grace,
that we may love as you love us,
without selfishness, without ulterior motive
and without desire for gain,
that our worship may be pure,
our prayers honest
and our lives upright in your sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
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