Homily: July 13, 2026 Monday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time (Word of God)

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 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword." 

Elsewhere, it is written, "I have come to set the earth on fire."

So, why has Jesus come to bring the sword and not peace?

A sword is meant to slice and cut. It separates one thing from another. In today's Gospel, the ‘sword’ refers to the Word of God. As the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us, "Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God will reach into our hearts, revealing what is true and what is not. This revelation will disturb our peace as it wakes up our conscience, thereby leading us to a full conversion of the heart.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah told that God was not impressed by the people's many sacrifices because their hearts were far from Him, their offerings were not sincere. So, Isaiah repeatedly reminded them to hear the word of the Lord and listen to the instruction of God. Listening is obeying. To truly please God, we need to obey Him. The offertories are meaningless if there is inner rebellion.

And to set us back to aligning our wills with God’s will, Jesus brings the sword, the Word of God, to awaken us, to open our eyes to distinguish the truth from the lies. The Word of God will change us. It challenges our wrong priorities and misguided values.

However, not everyone is willing to accept the truth of the Gospel, not everyone wants to see the light, many are so accustomed to the darkness that they don’t want to change. So, the sword, the Word of God, will also cause division among people who respond differently, some will follow the light, some will remain in darkness.

Faithful discipleship does require making difficult choices, to leave the familiar and follow Jesus into the light, or to remain with others in the dark? To see the truth or to continue in error? To grow in holiness or to dwell in sin.

Which is your choice?

May we receive the grace to choose with wisdom and faith.

Amen.


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