The Savior is
my Priority
Jer 38:4-6,8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Lk 12:49-53 (20 / C)
“Come and hear, all who fear God. I will tell what he
did for my soul, alleluia”.
In Jewish thought, fire is almost always the symbol
of judgment. Why did Jesus link “fire” from heaven with costly division on the
earth? Did he expect his followers to take his statement of “father against son
and son against father” and “mother against daughter and daughter against
mother” literally? Or was he intentionally using a figure of speech to
emphasize the choice and cost of following him above all else? Jesus used a
typical Hebrew hyperbole (a figure of speech) to drive home an important
lesson. We often do the same when we want to emphasize something very strongly.
Jesus' hyperbole, however, contained a real warning that the Gospel message has
serious consequences for our lives.
When Jesus spoke about division within families, he
likely had in mind the prophecy of Micah: a man’s enemies are the members of
his own household (Mic 7:6). The essence of Christianity is loyalty to Jesus
Christ - the Son of God and Savior of the world - a loyalty that takes
precedence over every other relationship. The love of God compels us to choose
who will be first in our lives. To place any relationship (or anything else)
above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who
they love first and foremost. A true disciple loves God above all else and is
willing to forsake all for Jesus Christ. Jesus insists that his disciples give
him the loyalty that is only due to God, a loyalty that is higher than that of spouse
or kin. It is possible that family and friends can become our enemies if the
thought of them keeps us from doing what we know God wants us to do. Does the
love of Jesus Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (2 Cor 5:14)?
Here, Jesus tells the crowd not to think he has come
to bring peace; he has come to bring division. Simeon said as much when he
turned to Mary and said that the child was destined for the rise and fall of
many and to be a sign that would be contradicted. Peace is the ultimate end of
the Kingdom of God, but peace has a price. Jesus is warning the crowd that
wherever the Word of God is heard and acted upon, division occurs. Fathers will
be divided against sons and mothers against daughters.
Benedict XVI affirmed that “Jesus Christ is not just
a private conviction or an abstract idea, but a real person, whose becoming
part of human history is capable of renewing the life of every man and woman.”
Faithfulness demands courage and ascetic struggle. Sin and evil constantly
tempt us: that is why struggle, courageous effort, and participation in Christ’s
Passion are necessary. Hatred of sin is not a peaceful thing. The kingdom of
heaven demands effort, struggle, and violence within ourselves, and those who
make this effort are those who conquer it (Mt 11:12). If we keep Jesus in mind,
we will not allow ourselves to be discouraged. His sacrifice represents the
opposite of the spiritual lukewarmness into which we often settle.
“Your
light must shine so brightly before men that they can see your good works and
glorify your Father”
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