Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets.“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.
How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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There are plenty of acronyms and sayings in modern American English that would make no sense to people living back in Jesus’ day. Some examples include:
BYOB.
RSVP.
I have the blues.
Or, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.
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We find the reverse happening in today’s Gospel. Jesus uses a saying that might’ve made sense 2,000 years ago, but is lost in translation today:
“Do not throw what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine… lest they turn and tear you to pieces.”
What on earth does he mean?
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Christ is cautioning his disciples, urging them to protect their budding faith, the new relationships they are forming, and the culture of faith-sharing he’s building.
Do not throw these precious things – these “pearls” – before those who will not appreciate them. Otherwise, they might be ruined.
While the early Christians were commissioned to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth – as we still are today – they also needed to form boundaries against those who were sinful, unrepentant, or non-believers.
This might’ve even included friends or people in their own family.
You and I can benefit from such a reminder today. While we live in the world, we are not of it. Be careful not to let the doubt, the skepticism, or growing anti-Christian values in our culture into your heart, lest your faith be weakened.
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When you come across such people or moments who tempt your faith, you might say, “Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.”
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Image credits: (1) Popular Sayings, Writer of Pop Culture (2) illustAC, pig and pearls (3) Austin Davis, 3:24 YouTube