Msgr. Pope on Three Hard Sayings of Jesus that Irritate Modern Sensibilities

"The Gospel for [the Mass for Tuesday of the 12th Week of the Year] features three hard sayings of the Lord's. They are difficult for us moderns to hear because they offend against modern sensibilities; we are easily taken aback by their abruptness. Here are the first two 'offensive' sayings:

"'Do not give what is holy to dogs', (Mt 7:6) or 'throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces' (Mt 7:6).

This offends against modern notion that you're not supposed to call people ugly names. This idea, though not wrong in itself, has been applied excessively in our times. We live in thin-skinned times, times of fragile egos. People today easily offended; the merest slight is often met with the threat of a lawsuit. Even observations intended to be humorous are labeled hurtful and out-of-line. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the need for holy things to be shared in appropriate ways with those who are capable of appreciating them and on our need to "be sober and come to the biblical understanding that our salvation must be earnestly desired and sought."

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Three Hard Sayings of the Lord That Irritate Modern Sensibilities (23 JUN 20)