“As you enter the house, greet it. If a house is willing, let your Peace come upon it. And yet if it rejects you, allow your Peace to remain strong within you.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:12-13)

 

First of all, please note that the traditional translation of this passage (“As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you”) is often used by conservative Christians to justify their arrogant certainty in their own unique biblical interpretations &/or rationalize their condemnation of others for a lack of adherence to the same … Of course, neither of these interpretations can have any real merit, for no other reason than doing so would make Jesus a liar with regards to judging others (see Matthew 7:1-2 & John 8:7 et al) and a hypocrite with regards to demanding acceptance & condemning arrogance (see Matthew 18:21-22 & Matthew 18:3-4) …

And this is why the wording I use above is more appropriate – because it harmonizes just as well with the ancient Greek manuscripts, and because it harmonizes much better with the Way, the Truth, & the Life of Jesus Christ.

 

Secondly, as far as how we can each apply this verse in our everyday lives, it is helpful to simply replace the word “house” with the word “interaction,” in essence encouraging us to shower those with Love who are open to our Love, and to smoothly & respectfully flow away from those who are not receptive to the same.

 

Of course, it is important to remember as well the Truth that Love purely Given is always Received by the Soul to whom it is sent – that every single Gift of Love always reaches its destination and at the very least briefly awakens the Receiver thereof to his or her True Nature.  As such, while we are to calmly retreat from any interaction that is clearly not desired, it is always Wise & Good to Give Love until such a rejection is definitively forthcoming.

 

Amen … Let it be so.

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt