A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 10:16-23)
Jesus said to his Apostles: “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.”
Jesus continues to instruct the Apostles as he prepares to send them out “like sheep in the midst of wolves.” He tells them that they will be handed over to courts and scourged in synagogues, led as witnesses before governors, kings, and pagans for his sake. When they are to be handed over, Jesus reassures them, they are not to worry about what to say but that it will be the Spirit of the Father speaking through them. In the first reading, Jacob responds to God who calls his name. “Here I am,” Jacob says. God says to him: “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.” Just as God made of Jacob a great nation, through his Son he prepares the apostles and every believer for challenges and opposition in carrying out his mission.
God, help me realize that in interacting with others as I proclaim your kingdom—even in speaking your name—that I may face contempt and rejection. I am often hesitant when the opportunity comes and fail to find words. Give me the grace to be, as Jesus says, shrewd as a serpent and as simple as a dove. Teach me to put aside any worry and trust that it is you speaking through me when the moment comes. Help me call to mind the words of Jesus when I am hated because of your name: “whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Lord, help me be unafraid to know and do your will today. From the Gospel acclamation: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you.” Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.