June 18, 2026

Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for their missionary trip. He levels the field, reminding us of the importance of equity. Three times he tells the disciples not to be afraid. He also says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34). It is hard to hear the Prince of Peace say he did not come to bring peace but a sword. The sword Jesus wields is one that cuts away the barriers which prevent his disciples (and us) to live a faith-filled life. Pastor Steve Garness-Holmes in his poem Sword, poignantly unfolds what Jesus meant.

The blade is not violence, but discernment,
separating truth from desire,
refusing to "go along to get along."
The gospel of peace disturbs the powerful.
Someone will object. But you needn't thrust.
You already have, with your upsetting mercy.
Be careful: how smoothly the knives come out!
It's so easy to turn integrity into snottiness
to defend truth by attacking people.
To take an unpopular stand, stand in it gently.
Disagree without defensiveness.
Uphold love with love.

Jesus is being descriptive not prescriptive. It is not his intent to create strife or division; however, when we side with truth-telling, justice, and equity opposition is a possibility. Resistance can occur within relationships even in families.  This is especially hard to hear on Father’s Day. Yet to ignore hard feelings, misunderstandings or how sons and daughters disengage their fathers or vice versa is to yield a weapon of dishonesty. Relationships can be hard. To avoid this truth is unkind. Relationships can also be joyful and life-giving, and I pray you experience more of the latter than the former. Jesus calls us to be respectfully honest, to love no matter what and to extend grace and mercy in each situation. We are to have a generous heart even when the “other” does not respond with love. His words remind us as the poem describes that love and peace have substance. It is not the superficial peace of denial, dishonesty, and making accommodations that harm. Jesus is honest, raw, and clear that the peace he shares with the world is one built on love, grace, and mercy. We are summoned to go and do likewise.