FIRST READING
Ephesians 3:14-21
Brothers and sisters:
I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19
R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten‑stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
Philippians 3:8-9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
REFLECTIONS:
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? Fire in biblical times was 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 the burning bush which was not consumed
when God spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:2). The image of fire was also used to
symbolize God's glory (Ezekiel 1:4, 13), his protective presence (2 Kings
6:17), his holiness (Deuteronomy 4:24), righteous judgment (Zechariah 13:9),
and his wrath against sin (Isaiah 66:15-16). It is also used of the Holy
Spirit (Matthew 3:11 and Acts 2:3). God's fire both purifies and cleanses,
and it inspires a reverent fear of God and of his word in us.
Jesus sharp statement that he would cause division rather than peace
within families must have shocked his disciples.Was he exaggerating? Jesus
used a typical Hebrew (Semetic) hyperbole 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 consequences for our lives. It has the power to heal, restore,
and unite those who believe its message. But the consequence of ignoring
or rejecting the gospel can lead to many hurtful desires and seduction
by the world.
When Jesus spoke about division 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, 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. 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)?
"Lord Jesus, may your love consume me and transform my life that I may
truly desire nothing more than life with you. Make me strong in love and
fidelity that nothing may hinder me from doing your will."
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