Readings: Jer. 38:4-6,8-10, Ps. 40:2-4,18, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 12:49-53
“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.” (Luke 12:51-52)
Two Sundays ago, we saw how a young man interrupted Jesus, asking to settle a property dispute with his brother. Jesus told him to beware of all covetousness, and last Sunday, Jesus went on to teach us to sell our possessions and give to the poor so that we can have riches in heaven (a place where moth and rust cannot affect our possessions).
Today, Jesus is concluding His sermon to the young man, and he says, “Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No! I have come to cast fire on the earth, I have come to bring division.” What does Jesus mean by this?
1. Do not Allow Family to come between you and God
Our penny catechism puts it beautifully. “Are we always to obey our parents? Answer: We are to obey our parents always except in anything sinful.” The division Jesus is speaking of is having to place God above family demands, especially in things that are sinful. It is better to be disowned and hated by your family members than to consent to evil to please them.
No wonder in Luke 14:26-27, Jesus teaches us, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
Are you facing persecution by your family members just for the sake of your Christian beliefs? Are you being denied certain privileges by your brothers and sisters just because you have refused to compromise your core values? Consider these as your cross and continue to press forward. In essence, Jesus is saying to that young man, “Let go of the property. Seek first God’s kingdom.”
2. Following Christ Demands Huge Sacrifices
Anyone who is not ready to suffer cannot be a good Christian. Anyone who tries to please everyone cannot be a truthful and righteous person. Our first reading today tells of the story of Jeremiah, who, like the other prophets, suffered greatly at the hands of his enemies for speaking the truth as commanded by God. Thanks to Ebed-melech, who spoke on his behalf to the king, Jeremiah would have died of hunger in that cistern. This again points to what Jesus is saying in today’s Gospel. If we are going to be true Christians, we must be prepared for the sufferings that would come to us in the form of rejection from our family members.
According to St. Ambrose, when Jesus says, “I came to send fire on earth,” it does not mean that “He is the consumer of good men, but the author of goodwill, who purifies the golden vessels of the Lord’s house and burns up the straw and stubble.” This fire that Jesus brings is what St. Peter was talking about when he said: “In this, you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
3. Lay Aside Every Yoke of Sin; Run the Race Set Before You
As Jesus would say: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; you should lose one of your members rather than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; you should lose one of your members rather than that your whole body goes into hell.” (Matthew 5:29-30). This is precisely what the book of Hebrews is teaching us in today’s second reading. It says we must cast away every weight, and every sin that clings to us, so that we can run freely with perseverance in the race to heaven, looking to Jesus as our pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
The book of Hebrews says: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself… in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Until you are ready to shed your blood for the sake of Christ, you cannot lay any claim to fighting temptations.
In conclusion, being a Christian demands a radical approach to God
As much as family is essential, serving God leaves no room for compromise. We cannot avoid the divisions that must come or the hatred of others in our determination to seek first God’s kingdom. Like Jeremiah, we shall surely face persecution, but everything we suffer is a form of fire that purifies us from impurities just as gold is purified by fire. Our real enemy is not people but sin. As St. Paul would say: “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant that we may love you in all things and above all things to attain your promises which surpass every human desire. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Jer. 38:4-6,8-10, Ps. 40:2-4,18, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 12:49-53)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu