Chapter Ten of St. Matthew’s gospel is usually referred to as the “missionary discourse.” It begins with Jesus naming the twelve apostles and then consists of instructions on how to be an apostle. Jesus warns the twelve to expect opposition: I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. In contemporary society opposition comes not so much from the wolves, from bad people, as from good people who think differently than you do. For example, if someone objects when you say “Black Lives Matter” it does not make them evil. This is where Jesus’ admonition comes into play: have pure intentions like a dove but use reptilian strategies to insist on your gospel insights.
JULY102020
By Church Staff
