Matthew 10:17-20 “in a snailshell”
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:17-20
Prepare no defense before governors and kings.
The Spirit of the Father through his children sings.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《不要思慮怎樣說話》
在諸侯和君王面前不必防備。
天父的靈會通過祂的孩子們歌唱。
Do not worry about what to say,
I will give you the words you need.
That echoed in my mind yesterday.
As I came closer to the man,
From whom I heard a cry for help.
Not asking for much, “If you can,
I need more stamps for this envelope.”
I saw him in the post office.
His voice sad; his eyes held a hint of hope.
I asked, “How much do you need?”
He said, “The clerk told me $5.50 but I only have a dollar.”
His speech sounded like a beggar wailing.
He told of his deceased mother’s life and deeds.
Her house sold by lawyer he didn’t like.
Now in small apartment, having special needs.
In my head I did the math for postage pending.
When I handed him the stamps, he said,
“I really need this. It’s my prescription I’m sending.”
We parted ways with blessing,
He to me and me to him.
Spirit spoken words caressing.
Ellen, thank you for sharing your exchange of kindness with a stranger. May the Lord bless you both abundantly!
Today is the feast day of St. Benedict. Here is a quote from him:
“Whatever work you begin to do, ask God in earnest prayer to make it perfect…We are going to establish a school for the Lord’s service. Nothing harsh or burdensome will enter there, we hope… as we go forward in faith our hearts will expand, and we will run in the way of God’s commands with unspeakable joy.” (Rule of St. Benedict)
Ora et labora!