cross-breed
"What I am doing is sending you out like sheep among wolves. You must be clever as snakes and innocent as doves." —Matthew 10:16
What's a cross between a sheep, a snake, and a dove? What goes "baa," "hiss," and "coo"? The answer is "a Christian." We are like sheep among wolves, but clever as snakes, yet innocent as doves. We are sheep because we're totally dependent on the Good Shepherd. We are snakes because we have wisdom from on high in the Holy Spirit. We are doves not because we've never sinned but because we've been forgiven and our innocence restored by being washed in Jesus' blood.
Because we seem to be such strange creatures, we are a threat to the world and therefore it drags us into court and flogs us in the synagogues and churches (Mt 10:17). Even family members will reject the cross-breed Christian. "Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will turn against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all on account of Me" (Mt 10:21-22). Nevertheless, be of good cheer, in Jesus you will find peace. Jesus has overcome the world (Jn 16:33). To be a cross-breed Christian is the greatest thing possible for a human person.
Prayer: "Lord, by Your cross and resurrection You have set us free. You are the Savior of the world."
Promise: "Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them." —Hos 14:10
Praise: Bl. Kateri was persecuted by both her father's and her mother's tribes but found a true Brother, Jesus, in God's family.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Jesus and Peace on audio AV 42-1 or video V-42.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005
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