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.”

Reflection

Jesus chooses a a radical image of fire to describe his work, and fire is seemingly something that we would say destroys things, but he's saying no, it's also a thing that purifies. It burns out all impurities. We cling to our impurities, our half truths, our lies. So what he's saying is that if you're going to engage in this work of the Kingdom, you're going to be engaged in a transformative work that feels like death.

And those who refuse to die hate those that are calling them to new life.

Closing Prayer

Father, the work of the kingdom is truly a work of transformation. Help us to be patient with one another as we, each of us, struggle with the transformation that is required of us not to judge those who resist, but just long for their transformation. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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