A month ago, our priest, Jeff, asked me if I would like to preach today. Being new to preaching, I embrace every opportunity that comes my way. So, of course, I gladly accepted.  

Two weeks ago, I opened Jeff's email to review the reading for this Sunday, and to say the least I found it quite challenging. I thought to myself, "Can't I just use the good Samaritan story instead?" I sent Jeff a quick email expressing my concerns. I said, "Jeff, have you read the reading for the week you asked me to preach? You're being cruel..." In a typical comical Jeff fashion, he responded with, "Jesus hasn't come to bring peace but a sword, to destroy the family!" And he added, "What about Romans? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" It was as if he was testing my abilities, saying, "Yes, my young padawan, how will you handle this?”  

To be fair, Jeff later sent me a message sharing his thoughts on the reading for today, which has been immensely helpful.  

So here's the plan for today. This text we're diving into is no walk in the park. In fact, it holds one of the most challenging verses in the entire Gospel. But let's embrace this challenge and together, let's explore what message God might have for us through these words.  

I don't aim to impose my perspective on you, but rather, I want to invite you on a journey. I'll share how I've grappled with this text in my own life, not as a way to sway you, but as an invitation for you to find your own path that resonates with your unique journey and relationship with God. One thing that I find incredibly helpful is to approach the text by immersing oneself in the original setting. It's about taking the time to understand the context, to discern what's truly happening and to whom these words were spoken.  

In today's reading from Matthew, the evangelist unveils a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus as he imparts wisdom and guidance to his disciples. To grasp its significance, we must understand the broader narrative unfolding around this passage.  

Prior to this scene, Jesus commissions his twelve apostles, empowering them to participate in the inauguration of God's Kingdom. He sends them out as his representatives, extending the reach of his ministry. However, Jesus doesn't shy away from the challenges awaiting his followers. He warns them about the opposition they will encounter and prepares them for the trials that lie ahead.  

In its original context, Jesus' teachings disrupt prevailing expectations. The culture of the time placed great importance on familial bonds, emphasizing loyalty and honour within these relationships. But Jesus upends this paradigm, introducing a radical reordering of priorities.   When Jesus declares, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me," he confronts the deeply ingrained social structures that prioritize family ties above all else. Jesus calls his disciples to redefine their allegiances, to recognize that their commitment to him supersedes any other loyalties, even those within their own households. Jesus warns his disciples about the divisions that may arise as a result of their association with him. He acknowledges that his message and mission will evoke strong reactions, causing rifts within families and communities. This conflict stems from the clash between the Kingdom of God and the established order of the first century world.  

Yet, Jesus doesn't leave his disciples disheartened. He offers words of assurance and hope. He assures them that those who endure persecution and hardship for his sake will ultimately find true life. In essence, Jesus invites his followers to embrace a transformative journey where self-denial and self-sacrifice lead to the discovery of authentic identity and purpose. In its original context, Jesus' words were truly revolutionary.  

But today? As we encounter some of the text in this reading, it causes us to pause. Jesus wielding a sword... Not loving my mom... What is Jesus conveying to us? How can we incorporate these words into the context of our 21st-century lives?  

I’m going to take what I consider the two hardest parts in this text and show you how I have come to understand them. Again I want to emphasize that this is how I see this text speaking in my life. We all need to let the words of Jesus filtered through the lens of our own lives in order to find the meaning God has in the text for each of us.   

Verses 34-36: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in- law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household."

Now, before I delve into my interpretation, I must emphasize that these words can hold profound literal truth in the lives of many individuals. The fracturing of families, for any reason, is an incredibly painful and distressing experience. By examining this phrase from a different perspective, I don't intend to diminish the pain felt by those whose families have been torn apart due to matters of faith.  

Here is my take on this. Looking at it from a different perspective, one can view the sword mentioned here as a metaphor for discernment. In this context, Jesus brings us the gift of discernment to enable us to push humanity forward. Rather than promoting division or violence, this metaphorical sword represents the power of critical thinking and insightful understanding.  

Jesus teaches us to discern the world around us, to challenge unjust systems, and to confront oppressive ideologies. By sharpening our discernment, we become equipped to push humanity forward towards a better world—an inclusive, loving, and accepting world. Discernment enables us to identify structures that perpetuate discrimination, to question outdated beliefs, and to advocate for positive change.  

Jesus continues, “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”. This verse, most often seen as a reference to the fracturing of family ties, can be interpreted through the lens of generational progress.  

Each generation inherits knowledge, values, and traditions from their predecessors. However, discernment allows us to critically evaluate these inheritances and determine what needs to be changed or improved. It involves the courage to challenge deeply ingrained beliefs that may perpetuate divisions and prejudices. By discerning the wisdom of previous generations while pushing for progress, we can work towards a more inclusive, loving, and accepting world.  

The “fracture” in the family, as described in the verse, can therefore be understood as a necessary evolution—a breaking away from outdated mindsets and practices that hinder progress. Each generation has the potential to build upon the foundations laid by their predecessors, while discerning what needs to be changed to foster a more compassionate and just world.  

In the dynamic tapestry of faith, each generation is entrusted with the sacred task of pushing our understanding and practice forward. Faith is not a relic of the past, faith is alive and requires movement and growth to remain vibrant and relevant. And so, as we find ourselves woven into faith today, we are called to carry the torch passed down by generations before us. We are entrusted with the responsibility to press onward, to expand the horizons of our faith, and to question the inherited assumptions that may hinder us from encountering the fullness of God's truth.  

Let us not be afraid to wrestle with the complexities, to challenge the boundaries that seek to confine us. Our faith is not a museum piece to be observed from a distance; it is an ever-unfolding narrative, inviting us to participate, to engage, and to explore the depths of divine love and mystery.  

As we embark on this journey, let us remember that pushing our faith forward does not negate the wisdom of the past; rather, it builds upon the sturdy foundation laid by those who came before us. We stand on the shoulders of giants, grateful for the insights and revelations they bequeathed to us, while also heeding the call to chart new territories and bring forth fresh expressions of faith for the world today.  

Then we come to what has been for me one of the most difficult verses in the New Testament.   Verse 37: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."   

Sure, there are plenty of other verses I grapple with, but this one hits me right in the depths of my being because, deep down, I resonate with it, even though it feels like an impossible feat. I look around me today and I see lots of parents and children, and sure that most of you have struggled with this verse like I have.  

Being a parent myself, with two incredible children who mean everything to me, I constantly find myself questioning whether it's humanly possible to love anything or anyone more than them. Their love fills me to the brim, leaving me in awe of its magnitude. And yet, it is precisely within this context that I struggle with the verse that beckons us to love God above all else. Is God asking us to love our Children less. How else can God expect us to give more than everything we already pour into the love for our children? It seems like an insurmountable task, doesn't it?  

However, in the midst of my wrestling, I stumbled upon a profound insight nestled within the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous—a community that understands the depths of surrender and transformation. It was within their shared understanding, their shared journey, that I encountered a slogan that encapsulates the essence of this verse: "sobriety first.” At first, this slogan seemed perplexing. How could I prioritize my own well-being over the needs and love of my family? After all, my family held the highest place in my heart. But gradually, I began to see that without sobriety, without finding that solid ground within ourselves, everything else would crumble. It was a painful yet vital realization that shed light on the significance of this enigmatic verse.  

In the depths of my contemplation, I came to understand that at the core of this verse lies the recognition that God is love. To truly embrace love in all its fullness, we must first love God. It is through this divine connection that we unlock the capacity to love others unconditionally.   Without God, the love I have for my children could never reach its full potential because the love I feel for them is intricately intertwined with the love I experience through my relationship with the Divine. It is through this divine love that I am able to extend the depths of my heart's embrace to all those around me.  

So, even though this verse continues to challenge me, I've come to understand that when Jesus spoke of loving God above all else, it was an invitation to experience a love that expands our hearts and enriches every other relationship in our lives. It's a love that beckons us to delve deep within, confront our attachments, and allow the divine love to flow through us, transforming our capacity to love others authentically and wholly.  

In essence, this verse calls us to a radical surrender—a surrender to a love greater than ourselves, a love that encompasses and transcends the depths of our human affections. It invites us to recognize that true love, authentic love, is discovered in union with the Divine, and through that union, we are empowered to love with a depth and richness that extends far beyond what we could ever achieve on our own. In todays reading from Matthew, we find ourselves confronted with the profound and challenging words of Jesus. This passage challenges us to let go of the comfortable and familiar, to question the assumptions that confine us, and to embrace the ongoing journey of faith. It invites us to honour the wisdom of those who have come before us while also charting new territories and bringing forth fresh expressions of faith for our world today. It calls us to participate, engage, and explore the depths of divine love and mystery.

As we conclude our reflection on this demanding text, let us take a moment to pray:  

Gracious God, we humbly come before you, grateful for the wisdom and guidance found in your Word. We thank you for the challenges and disruptions presented to us through the teachings of Jesus. Help us, O Lord, to navigate the complexities of discipleship with courage and discernment. Grant us the strength to confront societal structures that perpetuate injustice, to challenge oppressive ideologies, and to advocate for positive change in our communities. Fill us with the transformative power of your love, enabling us to love others authentically and wholly. As we continue on this journey of faith, may we embrace the call to push our understanding and practice forward, while honoring the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Give us the courage to break away from outdated mindsets and practices that hinder progress, and empower us to build a more inclusive, loving, and accepting world. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus, our Teacher and Guide. Amen.