Readings: Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2, 3, 4,18 (R.14b); Heb.12:1-4; Gospel Luke 12:49-53.
Theme: The Cost of Discipleship
Dearly beloved in Christ, today’s gospel contains one of the most misconstrued words of Jesus. Those who take on Christianity use this scripture as basis for accusing Jesus for calling for a bloody revolution. That is not all, they conclude that he cannot be the Prince of Peace he claims to be since he said: “I have come to bring fir to the earth ...”
Far from it – to understand what Jesus said in context, we must realise that sacred texts can either be taken connotatively or denotatively. While connotation refers to the suggestive or associated meaning of words, denotation refers to their literal or actual meaning.
Taking the way of connotation, some biblical scholars are of the opinion that the fire Jesus talks about means the glow of love kindled in believing hearts. Others hold that it refers to other human emotions or the transformation effected in the world by Christ’s coming. To denote that Jesus was actually calling for war is to miss the mark.
According, it is important to understand the usage of “fire” in Jesus’ speech. To be sure, this is not the first time the scripture talks about fire. In the burning bush, God spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:2); in Ezekiel (1:4, 13) the image of fire was used to symbolize God's glory.
What is more, fire was also used to symbolise righteous judgment (Zechariah 13:9), his wrath against sin (Isaiah 66:15-16, his protective presence (2 Kings 6:17) and his holiness (Deut. 4:24). Most importantly, the Holy Spirit manifested itself as tongues of fire when it descended upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Matt. 3:11 and Acts 2:3). Suffice to say that fire is both a cleansing and purifying agent in biblical thought.
Little wonder, in the first reading (Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10), the prophet Jeremiah is persecuted because he spoke truth to power. To the unwise, the prophet was stirring a revolution in the land – it would seem he was trying to cause division but in reality, he was doing his work namely, being the true prophet of God.
Although he was thrown into a cistern, the God he served so well vindicated him. Our attention should be drawn to his inner conviction and resilience to talk-truth to power while damming the consequences.
Our liturgy implies the following:
The seeming division which the gospel (Luke 12:49-53) suggests is that those who are consumed by the fire of God’s love would face opposition.
It is a call for Jesus’ disciples to be encapsulated by the fire of his love and be prepared for persecution from family and friends. Little wonder the scripture says, “a man's enemies are the men of his own household” (Micah 7:6). Examples: A son decides to become a priest and the family objects; a woman is dedicated in the Church and her husband sanctions her; a child changes religion and begins to attack his or her family.
Hardened hearts would oppose the truth of the gospel and propose a secular agenda to that effect.
The "effect" of his coming would reveal the stubborn state of the human heart which often searches the mundane and stands in the way of holiness, truth and justice.
The gospel calls all believers to choose God above any human affiliation such as parents, spouse and or children.
Like the Prophet Jeremiah, pastors of soul have the responsibility of talking-truth to power while relaying on God.
Conclusion
Ours liturgy reminds us that Christianity is a religion of the Cross. This means that every disciple of Jesus should be prepared for heartbreak, rejection, persecution, disappointment and even death. The twentieth Sunday of the year message could be summarised as the cost of discipleship. Saint Paul would ask, what would separate us from the love of God?
Let us listen to him: "Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35-39).
The second reading is very consoling because it assures that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” It also calls us to look unto “Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” who is always with us. It urges us to shun the life of sin, persevere in all circumstances and not grow weary or fainthearted in our race of faith.
Have a terrific week ahead!
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