sunday 26 june 2005: trinity v

St. Alfege, Greenwich

Jeremiah 20: 7 -13; Matthew 10: 24 - 39

I: Not peace, but a sword

Some gospel readings are easier than others. In a fortnight’s time, we will hear Jesus saying to his disciples:

‘Come unto me all you that are weary … and I will give you rest … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (Mt. 11: 28-29)

This morning, by contrast, we hear Jesus, just a chapter earlier, saying:

‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.’ (Mt. 10: 34)

This morning’s reading, then, is one of the more difficult ones, not least for me, because on my first Sunday back, I discover a sharp blade inescapably lodged in the text. Since I know rather more about sharp blades than I did last time I stood here, that might help shed a little light on this difficult passage.

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

1. >>>>