Christian Art Today - It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword

The Knife Angel - by Alfie Bradley, Over 100,000 knives, bronze, steel, 2017 © Commissioned by Shropshire's British Ironwork Centre

Gospel of 15th July 2019 - Matthew 10:34 - 11:1

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: 'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be those of his own household.

'Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

'Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.

'Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet's reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man's reward.

'If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.'

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

Reflection on the Knife Sculpture

Today we are looking at this rather terrifying figure of an angel, made of more than 100,000 swords and knives, confiscated from 43 police forces across the United Kingdom. For three years, police forces in the UK have been donating knives taken off the streets in a huge amnesty and given them to artist Alfie Bradley.. To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/112