Ephesians 3:14-21
Psalm 32(33):1-2,4-5,11-12,18-19
Luke 12:49-53
The Fire of God’s love
The message Our Lord offers us in today’s Gospel may seem far from a promise of peace: “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” He goes on to explain that households may be divided, as relatives differ over their understanding of Him and their willingness to follow Him. Our Lord calls for wholehearted commitment and a willingness to put everything aside in order to follow Him. His invitation is clear: follow Him without delay or reservation.
Who do you love most? What choices would you make? God or man? Life or death? Peace or conflict? Justice or injustice? Eternal life or eternal separation from God? We are faced with important challenges and choices. In church today, and particularly at Mass, people bring a wide range of personal experiences. Some have spouses or families who share their Catholic faith and practices, and enjoy the blessings of family life. Others face considerable resistance from their families. Some Catholics are criticized by a spouse, relatives, or friends for their commitment to attending Mass on Sundays and holy days.
For Christians, God must come first. It is also true that religious convictions can sometimes lead to conflict. In practical terms, what should we Catholics do? First, we should pray for and support those experiencing conflict, and help where we can.
Above all, Our Lord’s words in today’s Gospel remind us of an essential truth. When conflict arises, we should seek solutions that respect the rights of Catholics while also taking the needs of non-Catholics into account. Some divisions may remain, as Our Lord makes clear. When conflict seems possible, Catholics should remember that Our Lord calls for our deepest loyalty, and that our lasting happiness and eternal destiny lie in serving and loving Him above all else.
