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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves;

so be wise as serpents

and innocent as doves.”

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– Matthew 10:16 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves”

In spite of those wolves around us

who seek to eradicate the Word of God,

we will not be outdone

– not if we resolutely seek to imitate Christ

and be meek and humble of heart.

He is our mentor, our example

– He is the Lamb of God.

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“Be wise as serpents

and innocent as doves.”

Christ places the serpent and the dove

together in the same sentence

when He gives us this instruction.

He wants to clearly illustrate

how we Christians – His followers – should act,

and how we should not.

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Snakes are wise but can also be dangerous;

doves are harmless, but naive.

Christ, of course, wants us to adopt

only the positive characteristics of both.

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Our actions and words

must therefore always be

the fruit of wisdom and knowledge

depending on the particular circumstance

which we find ourselves in,

It is snakes that have this admirable trait.

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Moreover, our manner and behaviour

must always reflect peace, gentleness and purity

which are qualities signified by the dove.

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QUOTE…

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“One aspect of the light which guides us in the journey of faith is holy ‘cunning’,

that spiritual shrewdness which enables us to recognise danger and avoid it

…as Jesus told His disciples, ‘Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’”

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– Pope Francis

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Guide me through life, O Lord,

that I may do Your will and not fall to the ways of the world.

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