Our Scripture passage for this Sunday comes from the Gospel of Matthew 10:37–42. In this reading, Jesus continues to instruct the Twelve about the obstacles they will inevitably encounter while on mission. In last week’s Gospel passage, we read of how Jesus cautioned them to not be intimidated. In this week’s passage, Jesus cautions them to not be unduly influenced or deterred by those closest to them in their families. We all know how effectively intimidation and influence can be used in our world to control the actions of others just as these methods were used in the world of Jesus and the early Church. Our Lord not only wants to caution the disciples to anticipate such influences, He also gives them instruction on how to persevere through those influences. Let’s study this passage in greater depth to see how it can encourage and enlighten our lives as disciples.