Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 26, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today presents Jesus’ passionate words concerning his mission which, if not looked at in context, could be misunderstood. We know that Jesus did not condone violence and taught that we who are to be people of patience, mercy and compassion. That is why this text is hard because it seems out of character for Christ. So, within the context of the whole scriptures, how do we make sense of this reading?

We know that fire is a sign of the LORD’s burning love and presence: burning bush, pillar of fire during the exodus journey, fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Christ came among us to bring that burning love and presence to transform the world through his selfless act of love upon the cross which He knows lies ahead as He speaks.

Jesus also knows that we, touched by the fire of his love will ourselves be set alight, but not everyone will believe, not everyone will embrace Him as Lord and Savior. There will be contention and division that will spring up as the Gospel is spread between those who believe and those who do not. Jesus is not prescribing division and persecution; Jesus is describing what will be.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I alight with the fire of love for Jesus Christ? Am I willing to undergo testing and difficulties because of my faith?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush and You led the Israelites on their exodus journey as the pillar of fire. Your love burns brightly for your daughters and sons. And when You sent your only-begotten Son for our salvation and the reconciliation of the world, the fire of His love burned within Him. And those who came to accept Him as your beloved Son and our savior, the hearts of the believers were alight with love for You. Send your Spirit to stir the embers of this fire within the hearts of the faithful so that our love and faith might shine forth and illuminate our days. Grant that through our love for You and our Savior, we might be strengthened for the journey. Lead us, we pray, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.