Reading I: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Reading II: Hebrews 12:1-4
GOSPEL: Luke 12:49-53
The Gospel reading this week is a bit… disturbing for most people. Jesus says, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” Wow – I guess we’re lucky he also said that he was under constraint until he could go through some sort of “baptism!”
Of course, at this point in the Gospel, Jesus had already been baptized in the River Jordan by his cousin, John the Baptist. So what baptism was he talking about? And while we’re trying to figure out what Jesus was talking about, let’s consider that the one we call “The Prince of Peace” also said this: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.”
It’s Not What People Wanted
The answer can be found in our first reading this week, where Jeremiah is stirring things up. Jesus was doing basically the same thing. He was letting the people know that he hadn’t come to do what they wanted. Instead, he was giving them the challenge they needed. If you think about it, it’s easy to see. His teachings about compassion and love – and his habit of reaching out to people who were considered outcasts and sinners – were a radical change from what other teachers were telling them.
It certainly wasn’t the status quo and it’s not what they expected from their Messiah. Jesus didn’t tell the people what they wanted to hear. He told them what they needed to hear. As disciples, we’re called to do the same!
Many Christians Miss the Point
This Gospel seems harsh, but it’s actually pretty honest… because being a follower of Jesus – being a true disciple of Christ – will require a radical change for most people. It was a radical change 2,000 years ago and it’s often radically different from what society expects today. Something we need to think about though is that what Jesus calls us to do – the way he calls us to live our lives – can be radically different from what so many Christians are doing today. Too many self-proclaimed Christians often get it wrong.
Oh, they’ll talk a good game. They’ll say all the right things, receive the Sacraments regularly, go to daily Mass, pray the Rosary… and then spend the rest of their time condemning anyone they believe to be an outsider or (GASP!) a sinner!
They miss the point completely – just like the Pharisees and the other religious leaders who ensured that Jesus was put to death missed the point of Jesus’ message. Because of this, sharing an authentic Gospel message of love and radical acceptance can upset other Christians today.
The fact is that sharing the Gospel message will lead to opposition – not from so-called sinners, but from the people who believe themselves to be “holy” but don’t actually live the way Jesus commands. That’s what Jesus was talking about when he said he came to bring “division.” His message will divide people because some want to maintain the status quo and simply pretend to be holy, while others are willing to do the hard work of accepting and loving others. What Jesus was being honest about is that, sometimes, this message will not only divide people, but will divide friends… and even families.
Baptism by Fire
The baptism Jesus is talking about isn’t the baptism by water that he experienced in the River Jordan. It’s what we would call a “baptism by fire” – plunging in and becoming more by surviving the experience. In this Gospel reading, fire isn’t a symbol of destruction, it’s a symbol of trial and purification.
Truly following Christ – accepting the challenge to offer radical love and acceptance to those who most people cast out – is definitely a baptism by fire. It very well could divide families – and it often does – but it’s what we’re called to do as disciples of Jesus!
Many Christians are uncomfortable with the fact that being a disciple is a trial by fire. But at some point – sooner rather than later – we need to stop worrying about whether we’re “ready” – whether or not we’re prepared enough – and simply dive in. We need to take the plunge.
True disciples need to understand that the Gospel message is going to divide people – at least at first – but we need to share it anyway. We need to reach out to “the least of us” with love and radical acceptance, and then be ready to face the wrath of all the false disciples, because being a true disciple of Christ will be a trial by fire!
Life Applications:
How does your family feel about accepting others who are different?
How do you feel about causing division in your family in order to share the Gospel message?
What can you do to share the love and radical acceptance of Christ?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C):
Original article by Brandon Jubar, 2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.