Thursday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saint Antony Mary Claret, Bishop
Gospel Luke 12:49-53
“I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!” This is what Jesus brought into the world – a fire. A fire of love. He is speaking about the transformative and sometimes disruptive power of His message. Jesus’ mission was to bring a radical change to the world, calling people to repentance, transformation, and deep love for God and others. This kind of change often disrupts the status quo and challenges existing structures, both within individuals’ hearts and in society. Fire purifies by burning away impurities, and in the same way, Christ’s message purifies our hearts, challenging us to leave behind what is sinful or corrupt. His love is transformative. His love is purifying. But the question is always how much we are accepting His love. In the following verses (50-53), Jesus speaks about division, not because His message is meant to divide, but because people’s responses to Him will differ. Some will accept His message, and others will reject it, even within families. This reflects the profound impact of following Christ — it demands a complete reordering of one’s life and priorities, which can sometimes lead to tension with those who do not share the same faith or commitment. Let’s reflect: How much am I committed to accept the fire of Jesus’ love?
Don Giorgio