Daily Word Of God
Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his apostles: ‘Be prepared for people to hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as evidence to them and to the gentiles. But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will come forward against their parents and have them put to death. You will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions His apostles about the persecution and suffering that they, like Him, will surely face as many will reject Him and try to destroy the Good News of Salvation that He proclaims.
- However, Jesus assures them that they should never be afraid as the Holy Spirit will give them the Wisdom to speak God’s Truth and the strength to persevere in His name.
- St Stephen, the first martyr of the Church gave up his life with great courage and witnessed to God’s Spirit empowering him to persevere till the end. How have you experienced God’s divine power giving you the strength and will that is beyond your human capabilities?