Luke 12: 49-53
Jesus said to his disciples”
“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Called to Establish Peace
“I have come to set the earth on fire.” Together, today's readings — Luke's Gospel and Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Eph 3:14-21)— expand this familiar statement. Paul’s letter expresses a desire that all people might have the strength to comprehend the “breadth and length and height and depth” of Christ’s love for them; their inherent worthiness and dignity. I like to think this exemplifies the fire that Jesus talks about in Luke’s Gospel: once we know and recognize such gifted love in ourselves and all people, we burn with a need to stand against injustice. Jesus has come to make known that the Spirit dwells in each of us, richly. His is both a powerful and problematic vision, for instead of encountering individuals who are whole, loved, and safe, Jesus finds those who are broken, marginalized, and maltreated. He witnesses discord and is anguished. So…no, Jesus is not about the business of establishing peace. Rather, in holding up a mirror to our actions — waking us to division — Jesus reinforces how establishing peace is not a “Jesus” issue, but an “us” issue.
—Amanda B. Angaiak is the Director of Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, and President of Monroe Foundation, Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Prayer
Ite, inflammate omnia! Move our hearts to comprehend the needs of your people, and draw our attention to the imbalance in the world. Ite, inflammate omnia! Help us honor our neighbor’s full humanity, and let justice spread across the earth like wildfire. Ite, inflammate omnia! Today, tomorrow, and every day after.
—Amanda B. Angaiak