Cycle C - Year II:

14 August 2016: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Gospel: Please read Luke 12:49-53

To set the earth on fire!

The world is shocked by terrorism in France and in Germany. The latest one in France, as of this writing, is the martyrdom of a French Catholic priest in the holiest of all places, in the Church itself.

Japan has its own share of shocking news with stabbing incidents that killed a number of disabled persons.

In the local scene, peace-loving citizens are shocked by mounting cases of extrajudicial killings in the relentless drive of the new administration against illegal drugs. Innocent victims seem to be sacrificed.

The feeling of shock involves an acute stress reaction in response to terrifying events. What is happening to our world?

But also shocking events can trigger a concerted effort to fight the evils in our midst. For the fear and uncertainties we experience can deepen our trust in the almighty and all powerful God.

This seems to be the purpose of the Gospel proclamation this Sunday.

Jesus "shocked" His disciples when He declared that He would cast fires and cause division rather than peace on earth. "I have come to set the earth on fire....Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division..."

Just what did Jesus mean by these "shocking" words? If Jesus is the "Prince of peace" then how come that He now says to the disciples that He comes to bring division instead?

Well, Jesus is talking about the impact of His teachings on relationships.

Jesus preaches the coming of God's kingdom as a time of judgment. He warns us to take seriously the consequences of our choice -- either for or against God.

In a world that seems to be consumed with materialism and things pleasurable here and now, to be a follower of Jesus Christ is like walking the difficult path. So that preaching the Good News of God's kingdom is met with great resistance, and sometimes ridicule and martyrdom. It seems that being a disciple of Christ means sacrificing a big deal in terms of our relationships with others and among ourselves.

For example, the new government drive against illegal drugs and the Catholic Church's stand against the culture of death and extrajudicial killings seems to cause deep division among the nation. Yet, it is the moral obligation of the Church to oppose something that is against the will of God, even if it causes its own persecution and ridicule from those in power and even some who professed to be Catholics.

Jesus states that even family loyalties would be challenged on the basis of whether people accepted the kingdom of God or not. The challenge is also on us today. For the essence of Christianity is loyalty to Jesus Christ, a loyalty that takes precedence over every other relationship.

In sum, Jesus challenges the disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. He insists that His disciples give Him the loyalty which is only due to God, a loyalty which is higher than spouse or kin or any other relationship.

Because the love of God compels us to choose who will be first in our lives. And the Good News is that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself offers a great reassurance to those who seek to follow our Lord faithfully: "Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life." (Mt 19:29)

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!