[ Today's Readings ]
Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
We might call this the Facebook verse. We possess the pearl of great price, the kingdom of God. And we want to share this with others. But in the wrong context or at the wrong time it may not be helpful. A comment on a post might just contribute to a flame war. Then again, there are times even on Facebook when a well placed comment can do much good. We are not called to withhold the pearl from specific people forever assuming they cannot change. At times, we ourselves trample the pearl as though we are the swine. We wouldn't want it withheld from us forever.
Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.
We want to share the pearl. We must look for open hearts. We must find people like the Canaanite Woman, willing to be called a dog as long as she can eat the scraps that fall from the table. It means we can't just go firing truth into the crowd. We must let God lead us to engage individuals. He himself scatters the seed generously. But he never attacks anyone with it.
Enter through the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,
and those who enter through it are many.
It is easy to hear this and respond like a swine. Often we must experience a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the broad and wide road before we are open to alternatives. But people who can point out how the problem is inherent to that chosen path and who are willing to show an alternative are vital. Otherwise people may despair of finding anything of true value. Without such people to help the swine may never become people willing to sell all they have to possess the pearl.
How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few.
The enemy doesn't want anyone to find this pearl. He lays siege to the kingdom. He wants a desperation which makes those who possess the pearl keep it to themselves and those who do not possess it only trample it underfoot. The only successful strategy against such tactics is to trust in the LORD.
O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned upon the cherubim!
You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.
You have made the heavens and the earth.
Incline your ear, O LORD, and listen!
Open your eyes, O LORD, and see!
He alone has the power to keep our hearts from falling prey to the siege of the enemy. He alone can plant the love within us that can truly do for others what we would have them do for us. This love is our strongest weapon against the enemy. Only God can supply it.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you (see Proverbs 25:21-22).
God himself protects the city of his people. From there he spreads his mercy to the ends of the earth.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
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