The place of the Israelites in the realm of the Egyptians had radically changed and the once welcome guests had now  become  a potential for danger. The Pharaoh attempted the first "Final  Solution" and it failed as have  the many subsequent pogroms and persecutions. Pascal puts forward the survival of Jews as evidence of the existence of God.  We certainly have to be sure that Israel owns a special place in God's providence as revealed by the history of the  world. 

Jesus' formation of his first  commissioned ministers shocks us . What can it mean that "He has not come to bring peace to the Earth" The Gospel continues to emphasise this point. he will bring a sword. This text has even confused Moslem preaching; it must be wrong as God message is Islaam i.e. Peace. "My Kingdom is not of this world".

We must confront this statement and try to understand how our gentle Jesus could express in no uncertain terms such a starkly confrontational expression of his mission . We have to understand how this is not an expression of intent but a realistic facing of the truth of the events of his life on earth. Jesus never pretends in order to sweeten the pill of his reality.; God's will.  He knows hat he will be tortured to death. Can this brutality ever be considered Peace.? We too will have to face this earthly death which leads to the peace of reconciliation in Heaven.

Dear Lord let me this day be careful to acknowledge that the Father wills nothing that is not good for his creation. May Our lady and your saints in heaven support me as I try to avoid sin.