Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 12 July 2024
Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Friday
Hosea 14:1-9. Matthew 10:16-23
Survive and thrive
“Life is difficult!” Thus begins the book The Road Less Traveled. Jesus instructs his disciples on mission that life is difficult. Doing God’s work does not promise a bed of roses; the world always stands opposed to God. And we can’t expect people to behave well towards us just because we are good to them. People, in given circumstances, despite their learning and cultivation, act on their own nature.
Jesus uses a lot of word pictures in today’s gospel reading: “I send you as sheep among wolves.” Sheep and wolves are opposed to each other in nature. However, the sheep must survive and thrive. To facilitate this, Jesus proposes two qualities: ‘shrewdness’ or ‘prudence’ of snakes; and ‘innocence’ or ‘simplicity’ of doves. All these word pictures from the natural world.
We need to live here not ‘because of’ what others do to us; but ‘in spite of’ what they are to us. Living means not only surviving, but also thriving.
How do we survive and thrive?
(a) Be strategic and wise
“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16).
We must navigate complex and often hostile environments with both wisdom and integrity. Being strategic (wise as serpents) involves careful planning, understanding the landscape, and making informed decisions. Maintaining integrity (innocent as doves) ensures that actions are ethical and build trust within our community.
(b) Be prepared for challenges
“Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts … dragged before governors … to bear witness” (cf. Mt 10:17-18)
We must anticipate challenges and opposition. Being prepared for these difficulties means developing resilience and readiness to face and address issues head-on. This also involves effective communication and the readiness to defend and explain decisions and strategies when questioned by others.
(c) Rely on inner strength and support
“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious … the Spirit of your Father speaks through you” (cf. Mt 10:19-20)
The disciples of Jesus need to cultivate inner strength and rely on their foundational principles and values during challenging times. They must not rely on their own strength but on the strength that God gives them in their crisis times. God does not abandon his people. This type of assurance is given in today’s first reading as well. God continues to be faithful to the people of Israel, despite their unfaithfulness.
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A pilgrim of hope navigates through the setbacks of life, holding on to the finger of God (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 146).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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