Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
Matthew 10: 34 – 36
A sword! Setting people against each other! What in the world is Jesus talking about? As always, he is inviting us to take responsibility for our inner life. Jesus is describing the elements of our inner world. He’s telling us what is necessary in order for us to develop our spiritual consciousness. Our outer human self longs for comfort, ease, “peace” at any price. That’s normal and OK as far as it goes – hello human! But Jesus calls us deeper. Our Christ consciousness wields the sword of discernment. Our spiritual life calls us to sever our thinking from inherited automatic attitudes and thoughts that cramp us—our “father,” “mother,” “mother-in-law.” Our foes are not outer people, but our own thoughts—“members of one’s own household.” We have all unconsciously and consciously bought into the attitudes of the culture around us. Spiritual growth demands that we become aware of what we carry, thoroughly examining our attitudes and actions using the radiant Light of Spirit. Spiritual growth demands that we literally come to ourselves—letting go of what is not whole so our spiritual outlook has room to rise and expand.
As individuals and as a nation we are called to this as never before. The veil has been pulled back on the great harm that systemic racism brings to people of color and the ways it impedes the authentic upward progress of our country. Racism can no longer be brushed aside. Those of us who are white get to learn about and grow past the blinders of white privilege. Those of us who are people of color get to connect with innate power and agency. Together we have the great privilege of healing ancient wounds and bringing forth a world filled with profound creativity, abundance, and aliveness such has never before been seen.
The work is difficult, messy, immense, and paradoxically takes place in small but powerful moments. Rev. Teresa Burton, Editor of Unity’s Daily Word, shares her story of waking up to her spiritual integrity in “It’s Time to Let Love Open Our Hearts. TO EVERYONE.” I know that it will inspire you as you go forward in your own awakening. Together we will make it for we are truly One.
In the Love and Light of the Risen Christ,
Rev. Anna
