12 July 2021 - ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS

#JesusACauseOfDivision #ConditionsOfDiscipleship #Rewards #SwordOfChrist TOPIC: DO YOU FEEL THE PRESSURES AROUND YOU AS YOU FOLLOW JESUS? First Reading: Exodus 1:8-14, 22 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 124:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8 Alleluia: Matthew 5:10 Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1 Indeed, Jesus came not to bring peace but the sword in today’s gospel reading. How difficult and disturbing today’s reading is, especially when a member of one’s family is pitted against another ⏤ be it a family of believers or any group espousing a cause or in governance, but most especially, from one’s own blood family. In the first place, we know and call Jesus as the Prince of Peace. In John 14:27, during the Last Supper, Jesus said that He came to give peace to His disciples and that no one can ever take it away from them. And so His words today seem puzzling. This is the 461st installment of our CFC quarantine contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings. [NOTE: All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on   / cfchrist   and Bong Arjonillo’s Facebook page]