Twentieth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Jeremiah
38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53)
The terms
and concepts of today's Gospel may attract attention, but they also raise concerns.
We wonder: what does the Lord mean when he says he has "come to bring fire
and division on the earth"? And wasn't Jesus baptized by John in the
Jordan? What is this baptism he is about to receive that distresses him?
To
understand Jesus here, we must not take him literally but figuratively. He uses
expressive language to urge us to respond to his demands. “Fire” is not the
combustion of physical materials but the destruction of spiritual vices.
“Baptism” is not immersion in water but the trauma of a bloody death. In the
Gospel according to Luke, more than in the others, Jesus anticipates his
passion and death in Jerusalem. He realizes that this will be the moment of
truth for the world. Seeing him hanging on the cross, forgiving and healing to
the very end, everyone must declare themselves either for him as the Savior or
against him as a deluded do-gooder.
There are
several occasions in the Gospel that indicate how Jesus is anticipating the
encounter with his destiny in Jerusalem. Luke describes the Transfiguration as
an occasion for Jesus to speak with Moses and Elijah about his coming “exodus”
or passion. Not long after this, Jesus
“headed boldly toward Jerusalem” when “the time was nearly fulfilled.” Focused
on his Passion, Jesus doesn't avoid it but embraces it as he heads to meet his
destiny in ward the holy city. Another reference to anticipation and, in this
case, preparation for the Passion occurs when Jesus is on the Mount of Olives
with his disciples. Luke describes how Jesus was "in agony" and that
his sweat "became like great drops of blood." We are accustomed to
thinking of "agony" as extreme pain, but here the Greek agon
refers to the preparation of athletes for competition. It is the exercise
regimen runners do to warm up their muscles to give their best. The drops of
sweat as thick as blood mean that Jesus is supremely ready. He can now march
forward to confront the devil in the battle for souls.
Jesus' passion and death on the cross put the world on trial. Everyone must decide whether they are with Jesus or against him. These decisions will divide families, friendships, and communities, as Jesus predicts in the reading. The Gospel takes into account stories like that of Saint Perpetua, an African martyr who opposed her father when he wanted her to deny Jesus to save her life. Although such cases still exist today, we see Jesus' prophecy fulfilled in everyday matters. Spouses can often be divided on the issue of contraception: one saying that sex is for pleasure while the other acknowledges that it has higher purposes, as the Church teaches. Friends are divided on the issue of service: one proposing that they spend every weekend seeking entertainment while the other responds that she wants to use at least part of the time helping the needy. The parish community can be divided, with some in favor of joining with other faith communities in a community organizing project, and others threatening to leave the parish if they become involved in political issues.
It would be
patently false to say that Jesus came to separate families, friendships, and
communities. But he did come to teach his Father's will by word and example. We
reject him at the risk of losing eternal life. And we accept him in the hope of
having him as our companion forever.
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