The Sword of Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 15th Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 10:34—11:1*

*First Reading : Ex 1:8-14, 22*

*The Sword of Jesus*

*1) The Functioning of the Sword*

All of us have seen the sword. Usually sword is seen in the context of violence and cruelty

In this context how to understand the concept of sword? 

In fact sword is an instrument, which cuts the things apart 

It is a device to separate one thing from another 

Sword is also the symbol of power and authority 

*2) The Sword of Jesus*

The sword of Jesus is quite different from the worldly sword. 

The worldly sword is made up of some metal things and it is hard and strong

But the sword of Jesus is not made out of some metal things rather it is made up of some divine values which is more powerful than the worldly sword 

*3) The various swords of Jesus*

The sword of forgiveness

The sword of service 

The sword of friendship

The sword of healing

The sword of miracles

The sword of prayer 

The sword of divine word 

The sword of humility

The sword of love 

The sword of sacrifice

The sword of Cross 

The sword of Eucharist

The sword of simplicity

The sword of courage 

These are the various swords which were used by Jesus, in His ministry, which worked as powerful tools in building the Kingdom of God

*4 ) The Word of God as the Sword*

Hebrews 4:12 says, the Word of God is a double edged Sword 

It says the *Word of God is Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”*

It cuts the Right from the Wrong and separates the Good from Evil 

Those who use this sword, they can cut bad things from thier lives 

*5) Prayer is the Powerful Sword*

This sword works as a powerful tool in our life 

The sword of prayer cuts the devil and destroys its activities

The sword of prayer cuts and separates from our life, the bad habits like greed, jealousy, anger, pride, arrogance, revenge, gossip, selfishness, worldly desires, desires of flesh, and craze for money, power and wealth 

The sword of prayer helps us to separate all the evil things from our life 

*6) We are soldiers of Christ*

We call ourselves as soldiers of Christ

A soldier should have a sword 

A soldier of Christ primarily fights against the Satan and devil and his kingdom. So these above mentioned swords are very powerful in defeating the Satan and destroying his kingdom

*7) My Life and Jesus' Sword*

Jesus has given us variety of swords

Am I familiar with these swords and the power of these swords? 

How often I use these swords in my Life? 

What type of sword we have in our life? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*