We hear troubling words today from Jesus who we believe challenges us to be the couriers of peace and the foes of all that is violent. So what is Jesus saying to his apostles and to all of us when he states that “I have come to bring not peace, but the sword?”
The world Jesus entered was one of sinful conflict and evil that continues to the present day. Do we recognize similar divisions that still exist in our world? our country? our cities? our homes? our hearts? Salvation is ours because a loving, forgiving God sent his Son to carry the cross upon which he was crucified.
We may never be asked to accept martyrdom, but are we willing to live and preach TRUTH to all whose lives we touch daily – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and, indeed, to those who are always in our midst – the homeless, immigrants, members of other races, religions, political parties?
Are we peacemakers or sword-bearers?
—Sr. Ann Romayne Fallon, O.P. is an Adrian Dominican sister with notable experience in high school and diocesan administration. Currently she provides pastoral ministry to the Dominican community in Adrian MI.
t, one God, forever and ever. Amen