Romans 6:19-23
Luke 12:49-53
In today’sgospel, the message that Our Lord gives us seems far from the gift of peace. Do you think I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. He goes on, quite specifically, to say that households will be divided; relatives will fall out precisely over their view of Him and willingness to follow Him. What Our Lord asked for was complete obedience and the abandonment of everything to follow Him. He meant, FOLLOW ME NOW. No delay is possible, no excuse accepted.
If you were ask today what choice would you make? Do you stand for God or you prefer to choose the deeds of men in the world? Would you choose Eternal Life or death? Peace or war? Justice or injustice? We have this challenge set before us today as always. So where do you stand?
There is no way around the fact that if you are a Christian, God comes first.
Wherever division arises, it has to be dealt with – Our Lord makes this clear. Where there is a potential conflict, a Catholic must face the fact that Our Lord demands our first and highest loyalty and that our ultimate happiness and eternal destiny lies in serving and loving Him above all else.
Fr Joseph Osho