“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves.”

Matthew 10:16

Matthew 10:16-23

Reflection

Jesus tells his Apostles he is sending them as sheep into a pack of wolves, for they will be handed over and scourged for Jesus’ sake. They will be hated because of his name, yet whoever endures to the end will be saved.

Jesus commonly compares his disciples to sheep. A meek and gentle animal, they follow the voice of their shepherd and listen to him. In the same way, we must listen to Christ and imitate his humble and meek attributes. We are not to be like wolves, who devour and destroy.

Even as we are persecuted and hated by many because of Christ, our attitude should never change. We must remain humble in the loving presence of God. The Holy Spirit will lead us through difficult situations and give us the grace to persevere. When we maintain our sheep-like nature, we learn more about God in the process and grow in sanctity and love. Only through the eyes of humility do we come to understand Christ and the unending love he has for us.

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Saint of the Day

Sts. Rufina and Secunda: died ca. AD 257

Saints Rufina and Secunda were two Roman sisters. Both engaged, they would not give up their Christian faith even though their fiancés did, and both were martyred by beheading. Sts. Rufina and Secunda, pray for us!