Years ago, there was a TV advertisement for a particular brand of scouring cream. The tactic was to show why it worked better than scouring powders. Although the latter did clean kitchen surfaces, closer examination revealed that they also left behind lots of tiny scratches. Something similar is happening in both our readings today. At first glance, the Israelites in the first reading seem to be faithfully bringing sacrifices to God. But God sees through the shiny surface of their offerings to the scratchy hypocrisy that lies beneath. Their lives do not match their libations. They need to cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice.

In the gospel too, Jesus uncovers the pseudo-peace that sometimes prevails in the closest of relationships. We know well what he means. We know what it feels like to live in a family, or community, in which all seem to live together peacefully, but only because they do not speak of the things that really matter. In such situations Jesus comes, as the Light of the world, to reveal the hidden cracks, but only so that true healing might take place. It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.