I Came to Cast Fire upon the Earth
Introduction: May you be willing to give witness to the Good News of the Lord Jesus, even if it cost you loss of relationships with friends and family members.
We often think that our lives as followers of Jesus Christ should be happy and problem-free. The opposite, however, is often the case. When we are willing to live a life that proclaims Gospel values, we meet opposition, misunderstanding, and even various forms of persecution. This rejection may come from some of closest friends and family members.
I remember talking to one person who was troubled because other family members berated this person and some others in the family for taking a stand when it came to certain Christian values. The person was hurt that the contending family members were willing to cut off their close relationship because of the other’s firm stand on Gospel values.
More important than family ties, we must be faithful to the Good News of the Lord Jesus, even if it causes hurt or broken relationships. Yet, we must continue to love those who are opposed to our views.
In today’s reading, we are reminded that life is not always filled with happiness. Our journey is like a rose plant. Yes, it is sometimes beautiful to view, but there are sharp thorns attached that may cause us pain. Conflict and tension will exist, especially between those who seek the way of the Lord Jesus and those who are finding their own way, apart from Jesus. In the First Reading we hear of one of the times that the prophet Jeremiah faced opposition for his preaching GOD’s message. The psalm echoes the faith of one who trusts in the LORD even while experiencing hardships at the hands of others. The Second Reading reminds us that Jesus paid a costly price in order to bring us salvation, and we can expect similar demands and challenges in our journey on this earth. In the Gospel, Jesus remarks that His message will be a source of conflict between individuals, even in the same family because His Gospel will be challenging to those who do not follow the ways of GOD.
First Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10: ‘You bore me, a man
of contention to the whole land.’
Commentary: The prophet Jeremiah was a peaceable person, whose mission was to threaten the people of Jerusalem with destruction by the might of the approaching Babylonian armies. Their only hope lay not in military efficiency and power or in alliance with foreign nations, but in fidelity to the Lord. This was not the only message he had to give, for he also foretold that the Exile would bring a new covenant and forgiveness of sin as they repented their infidelities in exile and returned to the Lord. In any case, he tried to escape this mission by pretending to God that he had a stutter, but the Lord told him to quit pretending and get on with the job. The King systematically tore up his prophecies as they were read out, sheet by sheet, but at the same time he had a nasty, sinking feeling that Jeremiah was right. However, his military personnel overruled him and silenced Jeremiah by dumping him in the mud at the bottom of an underground water-storage tank This reading is chosen to pair with the gospel reading, and so to teach that the message of fidelity to the Lord and to Christ is bound to be a sign of contradiction and to provoke opposition.
Responsorial Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18: Lord, make haste to help me!
The psalm echoes the plight of Jeremiah being sunk into the muddy mire of cistern, as the words of the psalmist proclaim that GOD hears the cry from the one in the pit of destruction and rescues the suffering servant. The response of the rescued psalmist is to sing GOD’s praise.
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4: ‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’
Commentary: The previous readings have concentrated on the faith of the ancestors of Israel, a historical recital. Now the author turns to encouragement of the recipients of the Letter. The emphasis is now all on endurance, after the model of Jesus in his Passion, which won for him a place at the right hand of God (again an allusion to Psalm 110 [Greek 109]). As Paul so frequently does in his letters, the author here makes use of metaphors from the Games which were so important in the culture of the times. We are to keep running steadily and not lose sight of Jesus: this conjures up an image of an exhausted runner, desperate to keep going and not lose sight of the leader in the race. Then in the final sentence of the reading the metaphor is changed to a more lethal confrontation, fighting to the point of death, perhaps boxing or an outright gladiatorial contest. Faith is still the dominant motif, but it has now been joined by endurance, of which Jesus is the prime example.
By his acceptance of the cross and the shame and suffering Jesus is the pioneer and the completion of our faith, for he endured it all in view of the joy which lay before him at the resurrection. Important as was the great cloud of witnesses to faith in the Old Testament, this was only a preliminary, and can be set aside by Christians, since for Christians Jesus is alone sufficient, the ultimate exemplar of faith and endurance. He is the beginning and the end, the inspiration and completion.
Gospel: Luke 12:49-53: ‘I have not come to give peace but division.’
Commentary: What is this? Jesus came to bring peace and harmony, to perfect the fond unity of society and families. How is it then that he can here say exactly the opposite? And without apology! There is no, ‘I am afraid there may sometimes be disagreements in the family’. Rather, ‘I have come to bring disagreements in the family’. To make things worse, in Judaism the family is the basic unit which sticks together through thick and thin. Any Jew will be thoroughly shocked by this passage. We have seen repeatedly that Jesus’ statements are often fierce and extreme: ‘if your hand causes you to fall, cut it off’; ‘let the dead bury their dead’. Elsewhere he says ‘it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven’ – and the traditional let-out clause that he is talking about a small gate in Jerusalem is simply wrong; there was no such gate! Jesus is teaching that the most sacred earthly ties are less important than loyalty to him. He chooses the family deliberately because it is so sacred and important, but even so, less important than following him.
As we approach the end of the collection of instructions for the mission of his disciples after his own departure, Jesus leaves his hearers in no doubt that, important as family unity is, it will on occasion be shattered by a division in loyalty to Christ. How much more must we be prepared to give up our own bad habits and evasions and jealousies and hypocrisies to be true followers of Christ!
Reflection: Do you want to be on fire for God? Jesus shocked his disciples when he declared that he would cast fire and cause division rather than peace upon the earth. What kind of fire did Jesus have in mind here?
The fire of God's purifying love and cleansing word: The image of fire in biblical times was often associated with God and with his action in the world and in the lives of his people. God sometimes manifested his presence by use of fire, such as God's revelation to Moses through the burning bush in the wilderness which was not consumed by the flames (Exodus 3:2). God assured the Hebrew people of his continual presence, guidance, and protection for them through the wilderness for forty years with the pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day (Exodus 13:21-22). The prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven to reveal God's presence and power and to purify the people of false idols (1 Kings 18:36-39). The image of fire was also used as a sign of God's glory (Ezekiel 1:4, 13) and holiness (Deuteronomy 4:24), his protective presence (2 Kings 6:17), and his righteous judgment (Zechariah 13:9) and holy wrath against sin (Isaiah 66:15-16).
Fire is also a sign and symbol of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11-12 and Luke 3:16-17). When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost "tongues of fire" appeared above their heads (Acts 2:3). We can see from both the Old and New Testament Scriptures that God's fire purifies and cleanses to make us clean (sins washed away) and holy (fit to offer him acceptable praise and worship), and it inspires a reverent fear (awe in God's presence) and respect (obeying and giving God his due) for God and for his holy word.
Loyalty unites - division separates: Why did Jesus link fire from heaven with costly division on the earth? Did he expect his followers to take his statement of "father against son and son against father" and "mother against daughter and daughter against mother" literally? Or was he intentionally using a figure of speech to emphasize the choice and cost of following him above all else? Jesus used a typical Hebrew hyperbole (a figure of speech which uses strong language and exaggeration for emphasis) to drive home an important lesson. We often do the same when we want to emphasize something very strongly. Jesus' hyperbole, however, did contain a real warning that the Gospel message does have serious consequences for our lives.
When Jesus spoke about division within families he likely had in mind the prophecy of Micah: a man's enemies are the men of his own household (Micah 7:6). The essence of Christianity is loyalty to Jesus Christ - the Son of God and Savior of the world - a loyalty that takes precedence over every other relationship. The love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. To place any relationship (or anything else) above God is a form of idolatry.
Who do you love first and foremost? Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than spouse or kin. It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies if the thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do. Does the love of Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (2 Corinthians 5:14)?
The Gospel message is good news for those who seek pardon, peace, and the abundant life which God offers us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus offers true freedom to those who believe in him - freedom from slavery to sin, Satan, and the oppressive forces of hatred and evil that can destroy body, mind, and spirit. Do you listen to the voice of your Savior and trust in his word? Commit your ways to him, obey his word, and you will find true peace, joy, and happiness in the Lord your God.
Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love consume me and transform my life that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. Fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit that I may always seek to please you and do your will.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: The fire of the Gospel and being baptized in the Holy Spirit, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"We affirm that the fire that Christ sent out is for humanity's salvation and profit. May God grant that all our hearts be full of this. The fire is the saving message of the Gospel and the power of its commandments. We were cold and dead because of sin and in ignorance of him who by nature is truly God. The gospel ignites all of us on earth to a life of piety and makes us fervent in spirit, according to the expression of blessed Paul (Romans 12:11). Besides this, we are also made partakers of the Holy Spirit, who is like fire within us. We have been baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit. We have learned the way from what Christ says to us. Listen to his words: 'Truly I say to you, that except a man be born of water and spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:5). It is the divinely inspired Scripture's custom to give the name of fire sometimes to the divine and sacred words and to the efficacy and power which is by the Holy Spirit by which we are made fervent in spirit." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 94)
loving through the shame
“He endured the cross, heedless of its shame.” —Hebrews 12:2.
The translation of Hebrews 12:2 for today’s second Mass reading says that Jesus “despised the shame” of the cross (see Heb 12:2, RNAB, RSV-CE). Yet instead of shunning the cross, Jesus embraced it. Why would Jesus embrace something He despised? He despised sin, but for our sake He became sin (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus had a baptism of crucifixion to receive, and He was in “anguish” (Lk 12:50). Nonetheless, out of love for us sinners, Jesus hastened to come to our aid (Ps 40:14). His love for us sinful, rebellious people impelled Him to come and save us (2 Cor 5:14).
Though despising the shame, Jesus was willing to be considered a criminal, even a sinner (Jn 9:24). To be crucified was a shameful death reserved for criminals. Yet Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, endured the shame of the cross, out of unfathomable love for sinful humanity (see Rm 5:8).
The cross of Christ is a scandal and a shame. You may be faced with a choice of compromising your faith to avoid causing a shameful division in your family (Lk 12:51). Alternatively, you can choose to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:2) and stand firm in your faith, even enduring persecution as Jeremiah and Jesus did (Jer 38:6). Would you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:2), even if it meant division, persecution, and shame?
Prayer: Father, give me the grace to be able constantly to look to You, that I may be radiant with joy and my face may not blush with shame (Ps 34:6). “He stooped toward me and heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp.” —Ps 40:2-3. Praise You, risen Jesus! You welcome those who trust in You. All praise to You forever!
The personal action for today: When have I experienced division and opposition as I have proclaimed in actions or words the Gospel of the Lord Jesus? How have I handled the conflict? Have I sensed the presence of Jesus with me as I have given witness to the Good News? Have I shied away from situations that might lead to confrontation simply because I did not want to be under the pressure of taking a stand for the Lord Jesus? What can I do to be better prepared to face the challenges of those who oppose hearing the Word of the Master-Teacher? How can I show GOD’s love for others while maintaining my allegiance to the Lord Jesus and His message of Truth?
*Saint Joan of the Cross: An encounter with a shabby old woman many dismissed as insane prompted Saint Joan to dedicate her life to the poor. For Joan, who had a reputation as a businesswoman intent on monetary success, this was a significant conversion.
Born in 1666, in Anjou, France, Joan worked in the family business—a small shop near a religious shrine—from an early age. After her parents’ death she took over the shop. She quickly became known for her greediness and insensitivity to the beggars who often came seeking help.
That was until she was touched by the strange woman who claimed she was on intimate terms with the deity. Joan, who had always been devout, even scrupulous, became a new person. She began caring for needy children. Then the poor, elderly, and sick came to her. Over time, she closed the family business so she could devote herself fully to good works and penance.
She went on to found what came to be known as the Congregation of Saint Anne of Providence. It was then she took the religious name of Joan of the Cross. By the time of her death in 1736 she had founded 12 religious houses, hospices, and schools. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1982.
The downtown areas of most major cities hold a population of
“street people.” Well-dressed folks usually avoid making eye contact, probably for
fear of being asked for a handout. That was Joan’s attitude until the day one of
them touched her heart. Most people thought the old woman was crazy, but she put
Joan on the road to sainthood. Who knows what the next beggar we meet might do for
us?
