Standing for the Reign of God

WORD 2day - Monday, 15th week in Ordinary time

July 17, 2023: Exodus 1: 8-14,22; Matthew 10:34 - 11:1

One statement that we often hear in the context of varied problems in the society today, be it the ongoing ukraine issue, or the burning manipur issue or issues similar to those, is the following: "its unfortunate that these problems are prevailing and it can never be justified on whatever ground that people are denied their fundamental right to live in peace, specially the extent to which the inhuman selfishness of a small group of people can cause havoc in the world!" One cannot but think of the prevailing situations of inhumanity, cruel hegemony, political manipulation, socio economic oppression and human right violations all over the world, when we read the first reading today! 

When we find ourselves in front of these suffering brothers and sisters, we cannot close our eyes or switch off our minds. No one can be neutral, in our own way, we have to take our stand - that is what Jesus says in the words - "I have come to bring not peace but sword!" Swords are never sweet... neither for the other nor for the self - because swords come back too! That is the challenge. When we wish to set fire, we need to be prepared to face that fire ourselves. We need to keep our house clean and our attitudes well grounded. 

Our solidarity, our affirmation of justice and peace, our simple gestures of care and concern for the oppressed brothers and sisters, though it may appear to be like a mere glass of water, will be much rewarded in the Reign of God, because however simple, those gestures show that we stand for truth, liberty, peace and justice - in short - for the Reign of God!