Day 14: Pain

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.  For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."  Matthew 10:16-20

When Jesus sent out his disciples, he reminded them that there was going to be pain, persecution, trials, and, yes, even death.  Jesus knew pain just in the same way that we feel it.  Jesus knew temptation.  Jesus knows us.  This is why he spent his entire ministry on teaching his disciples and those who followed - all the way down to us - on how to deal with situations.  I find that this passage is the most concise warning, and it is because of this brevity that the message feels even more poignant than others that I read.

Jesus has sent us into this world, where human nature has been allowed to flourish in many different ways.  One way, however, has been in our own desire to order things and people in ways that allow us to be on top, while they are at the bottom.  We have classes based on the amount of money one has.  We have churches that are exclusive, based on how people pray or preach or read or celebrate.  We have court systems that routinely criminalize the innocents or shut off the voices of those who speak differently.  We have come up with a game that has so many rules that everybody loses in the end.

Jesus sent us out there to stop it, but not in the easiest way possible.  Indeed, Jesus has taught us that violence is never the answer and that all violence does is continue to divide until the Divine has to intervene.  Jesus has taught us that we are to love in all instances, that we are to treat everyone with the same respect that they deserve.  Jesus taught us about agape, caritas, charity, unconditional love, even when it seems difficult.  And why is that?

In the face of pain, when the multitudes of people are staring at you, some with stones, others with guns, others with rotten food, others with all that they are worth, ready to fire, love will prevail.  The voice of God is love in all situations, and it is through love that the voice of God will be heard.  When we raise our swords or fists or guns, we only incite even more violence to divide us all up even more.  In the trials, God is ready to speak to anyone who is willing to listen.

I find it difficult to speak coherently whenever I am filled with anger, rage, disappointment, and even sadness, but it is when I take the words of Jesus to heart that I am able to calm down, for Jesus moves in these difficult times.

Today's readings:
Genesis 27-28
Psalm 11 (12)
Proverbs 7:1-6
Matthew 10:16-33
Acts 14