A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 12:49-53
(Glory to you, O Lord!)
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord (Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!).
Reflection: Be faithful to the Gospel
How difficult it must have been for all the first generations of believers and followers of our Lord Jesus. Imagine the anguish that may have occurred between family members… as devout followers of the high priests and elders were torn between whether to follow the message of God’s Kingdom by our Lord Jesus, or to follow the leaders of their synagogues.
This reminds me of some of the episodes from “The Chosen” were they shared plausible stories based from the Gospels that showed that a division of hearts and minds occurred between family members, even among the Jewish rabbis… as some of leaders believed that Jesus is the son of God but were unable to publicly admit it, while others adamantly refused to believe that Jesus is that Messiah.
The high priest and elders wanted the Messiah to be an earthly king to rule over them…like king David, who went to war and defeated the enemies of the people of Israel. Unfortunately, most of the high priests and elders of the people also did not want to lose their place of honor as the leaders of the people, and they saw Jesus as a threat to the laws that they uphold and a threat to their status and their human comforts of life.
The high priests and elders did not understand that our Lord Jesus became human like one of us even though he was also fully God to fulfill the prophecies mentioned about him by the prophets… that the Messiah… the king of universe… was to suffer, die and be raised from the dead, and that God will place His spirit within His people… within all the faithful. Some of ask may be asking the question, why?
To prepare a way for all the future future disciples among all peoples whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free to be like Him… to be like Jesus who was the first one born from the dead … with a body that will never die… to make it possible for all of us… the exiles from Paradise because of the sin of Adam and Eve… to be redeemed,… to no longer be exiles… to no longer be slaves to sin… to allow us to be welcomed into God’s Kingdom in Paradise as the adopted sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father… just as God had planned from the very beginning!
This promise awaits all the faithful followers of Jesus who have received the Holy Spirit in our hearts through our baptism… and have made a choice in our minds to be guided daily throughout their lives by the Holy Trinity… to continue the mission of sharing the Gospel truth of God’s great love and mercy.. that we have a heavenly Father who is always ready to welcome and embrace us just like the Father in the story of the prodigal son! We have a God of mercy who smiles tenderly as He watches over us and He loves us all!
Action for the Day:
As we continue to accompany one another throughout our earthly life… make time to marvel and be filled with awe with the presence of God wherever we currently are. We are not alone… whether we are busy or we are quiet, in distress or at peace…Jesus is always with us…He is there to guide us today and every day through times of joy and challenges.
Acknowledge Jesus’ presence by sharing whatever is in our hearts and minds…then make the choice to respond and follow the gentle promptings of God’s Spirit that leads to holiness, mercy and peace… Our Lord Jesus will show us the way!
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