Reflection for Friday July 11 Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot: Matthew 10:16-23

Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.  

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.  

You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” 

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Reflection:

There was a very corrupt high-ranking government official who experienced a stirring turnabout in his life. From being deeply entrenched in corruption, he turned toward a saintly life, and from then on, he never engaged in any form of wrongdoing. Yet his saintly lifestyle became his cross, for he was maliciously persecuted by his former companions in corruption. 

Does it pay to leave our sinfulness for the sake of Jesus? Does it pay to walk away from friends who lead us only into sin? Yes, it does! Following Jesus may not be easy. We may face persecution, be scorned, or even be harmed. Yet all these sufferings and earthly imbalances are nothing compared to the peace, joy, and eternal life that Jesus brings into our lives. 

The moment we decide to faithfully follow Jesus, we must be ready to face persecution. We should expect to be looked down upon and to receive insulting remarks from those who cannot understand our choice to live for Jesus. Nonetheless, let these trials strengthen our resolve and deepen our faith. 

Almost all of the apostles were severely persecuted because they chose to follow Jesus faithfully. The world persecuted them, but God exalted them and rewarded their faithfulness with eternal glory. 

How about you? Which will you choose: the fleeting, immoral enticements of this world, or the initially difficult but ultimately rewarding path that leads to Jesus and eternal life? 

May we always choose Jesus, no matter the cost, for in Him alone will we find peace, purpose, and salvation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas