JESUS IS THE SHEPHERD OF SHEEP, NOT OF WOLVES (Homily for Friday of the 14th week in ordinary time

JESUS IS THE SHEPHERD OF SHEEP, NOT OF WOLVES

Matthew 10: 16-23

Good morning beloved in Christ, in the liturgy of the word today, the Gospel reading presents to us the sending out of the apostles by Jesus and the precautionary mandate that accompanies their day-to-day evangelization. Jesus said to his apostles: “I am sending you out like sheep amid wolves; be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Mt 10:16). 

Firstly, the initiative of the mission is that of Jesus. He determines the modalities and principles that guide the mission. Consequently the precautionary mandates: Be sheep amid wolves, wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  Reflecting on this St. John Chrysostom in his homily on St. Matthew's Gospel (The Divine Office) wrote: “So long as we continue to behave as sheep, we are victorious. Even if ten thousand wolves surround us, we conquer and are victorious. But the moment we become wolves, we are conquered, for we lose the help of the shepherd. He is the shepherd of sheep, not of wolves. If he leaves you and goes away, it is because you do not allow him to show his power”. Beloved in Christ, Jesus demanded from his apostles in the mission, utmost dependence on his leadership, companionship, authority, sovereignty and power if they must be victorious. And these characteristics can only be realized in the image of a sheep and not a wolf. 

Going forward, Jesus said: 'Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Here, Jesus reawakens in the apostles the virtues of prudence and sensibleness such that they must not be victims of every trick and snare of the evil one. They must like a dove display the virtue of innocence, probity, uprightness, sincerity, and truthfulness, without any mixture of selfishness.

All these tactical precautions notwithstanding, Jesus reminds them of the opposition, hostility, resistance, antagonism and persecutions they must confront on account of the Gospel. But they must remain assured that God is with them and the one who endures to the end will be saved (Mt 10:22).

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, just like the apostles, Jesus commissions us as ministers of the Gospel and admonishes us to remain the sheep of the flock of God, manifesting the deserved virtues expressed in the image of a dove and a serpent. Relying on the graciousness of God, may we surmount every persecution and hostility that confront us with the blessings of endurance, constancy and vitality. May God remain glorified in our lives both now and forever more. Amen

Have a grace-filled day!

Fr Remi osj