Sheep in the Midst of Wolves

“Whoever is angry with someone will be liable to judgement.” Matthew 5:22

Last Monday, the Philippine National Police Chief, Director General Oscar D. Albayade, pronounced that the recent series of murders of priests should not be a cause of alarm for the public. This is in glaring contrast to the message of today’s gospel. 

Jesus said, “You shall not kill; whoever kills will be liable to judgement. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement...” As followers of Christ we need to recognize the growing culture of death, hate and anger in our society and speak out against it. 

Isn’t it alarming that the Global Peace Index of 2018 ranked the Philippines as the 2nd “last peaceful” country in Asia Pacific after North Korea? What kind of a country are we leaving our children? 

We need to start with our own hearts. Is there anyone we are angry with, have not forgiven? We need to make our hearts bastions for Christ. According to Wikipedia, “bastion fortifications offered a greater degree of passive resistance and more scope for ranged defense in the age of gunpowder artillery compared with the medieval fortifications they replaced.” 

The more hearts claimed for Christ, the more bastions of the Holy Spirit in our country, the more we will be able to defend against the onslaught of the enemy. We need to guard our hearts and minds against the many deceptions, and attacks thrown at us.  

Jesus, our brother, You send us out as sheep in the midst of wolves. May we be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16)