July 13
Image of Our Lady of Chartres,
France, carved in 100 B.C.
with the
inscription
“To a virgin who is to bring forth.”
Gospel: Matthew 10:34 -11:1
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| Image created using Google AI Image Creator. |
Today’s Gospel contains one of Jesus’s harder sayings, He came not to
bring peace but a sword, even setting family members against each other,
because loving Him more than father or mother or son or daughter is the actual
cost of discipleship. It’s not a popular verse to embrace, but He says it
plainly and doesn’t make it sound lighthearted.
We like to
imagine faith as something that smooths over every relationship and softens
every conflict, and often it does, but not always, and not automatically.
Sometimes following Jesus honestly creates real tension with people we love,
because conviction and comfort don’t always point in the same direction. Jesus
warns us up front rather than letting us discover it the hard way.
Don’t be
surprised or shaken if living your faith openly and honestly costs you some tension
in a relationship. Sometimes, overbearing stress doesn’t mean you’re doing
something wrong; it might mean you’re finally doing something right in the
eyes of God. Continue to be loving and patient, but don’t quietly trade away
your convictions just to keep the peace at any price. Jesus Christ asked for
first place, and He meant it even when it’s uncomfortable.
Today, the
Marian calendar shares with us the Image of Our Lady of Chartres, France,
carved around 100 B.C. with an inscription anticipating a virgin who would
bring forth a child, a faith that held its ground across centuries before the
world was ready for it. Our Lady’s own yes cost her the comfortable life she
might have expected. Something to think more deeply about today: Where has living
your faith created tension you’ve been trying to smooth over instead of standing up
for your faith? Is it your spouse, a family member, a close friend, or even a best friend?
Take the time to pray for that person or persons and ask the Lord to reveal
Himself to them, however He sees fit.
Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given.
Freely shared.
