Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus said to the crowds, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Luke 12:49-53
Reflection:
The gospel for today is from Luke 12:49-53 which reminds us of two things: fire and division. At first, when I start reading the gospel it seems very vague. I can’t seem to understand what it meant and so I read and ponder again and again of its deep meaning. Much to my amazement, this is what the gospel from Luke 12:49-53 wanted me to realize.
- Jesus is passionate about His mission here on earth. He knew from the very start that He would die doing His mission but it did not stop Him. He knew that when He spread the news of the Kingdom of God, there will be division among the people. Even so, His willingness to save humanity is like a raging fire.
- In the gospel of Luke 12:49-53, the fire means the fire of justice and final judgment that will come upon us. Like Jesus who is waiting for the final reality of His mission which is crucifixion and death. Like Jesus, each one of us will die but the real judgment is yet to come.
- The Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 is a call to conversion. This is a call for the people to think about the final judgment. We have to keep our fire burning even with the division of beliefs we have.
- Luke 12:49-53 have given us hints for us to live through while we are still here on earth. Let us make our fire burning, we need to lit up our candles of faith. The division we have right now is temporary. When the judgment day arrives, we all will get what we deserve. Our actions here on earth will be our passport through the gates of heaven. Let us all have our fire burning with the desire to serve God for His glory. – Clea | Helpline PH
