Jesus: A Cause of Division

Today's Reflections 


                                                                

Jesus: A Cause of Division 

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Lk 12:49-53

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ⁴⁹“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! ⁵⁰There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! ⁵¹Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵²From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; ⁵³a 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.”

Reflection:

I have come to set the earth on fire. Jesus makes this declaration to the disciples and to us.

First question: have you allowed Jesus to set your heart on fire with the love of God and people? Second question: Do you set the hearts of others on fire for the sake of God and people? Our answer to the second question depends on our answer to the first question, for, as Francis Cardinal Arinze told the audience in the Philippine International Convention Center, “You cannot inspire unless you are on fire.”

An example of a person who allowed herself to be set on fire by Christ is Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. She became so captivated by the love of Jesus that she even took a vow not to commit a deliberate venial sin. Her motto was the cry of Jesus from the cross: “I thirst.” Already a good teaching sister, she was moved by Christ to devote herself to the service of the poorest of the poor. She drew many to follow her footsteps in the service of Christ and the poor. She founded more than 200 religious houses before she died. And up to now, people continue to be drawn to serve Christ’s poorest of the poor as she did.

When persons are on fire for Christ, they are able to do things even if others oppose them. What matters is to serve the Lord with an undivided heart, despite difficulty and opposition.

Opposition is the lot of Christ’s followers.

Don’t be discouraged by opposition.