Reflection for October 23 Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 12:49-53

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?

No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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Reflection:

What does it mean to be on fire for Jesus?

It simply means that we have allowed the Holy Spirit to work in our lives by sharing and living out the teachings of Jesus. During Pentecost, the Blessed Mother, some women, and the apostles were in the upper room (Acts 1:12–14).

While they were there, the Holy Spirit, appearing as tongues of fire, descended upon each of them (Acts 2:1–3). From that moment on, they opened their hearts and allowed themselves to be set ablaze by the love and teachings of Jesus.

During our Baptism, we too received the same fire of the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit was strengthened in us even more during our Confirmation. The question now is not whether the Holy Spirit is with us—because He is—but whether we are allowing that fire to burn brightly in our lives.

Have we truly been on fire for Jesus, or have we let that fire grow dim? Oftentimes, we remain timid Catholics, content to keep our faith quietly hidden within us. We may attend Holy Mass, pray in silence, and believe in Jesus—but do we share Him with others? Do our lives reflect His presence and power at work within us?

Why don’t we allow the Holy Spirit to rekindle this fire in our hearts? We can start in small, simple ways—perhaps by gathering our families or friends for a weekly or monthly reading and reflection of God’s Word. We can make time to pray together, to listen, to reflect, and to encourage one another in faith.

These small acts may not be easy. We might face misunderstandings, resistance, or even judgment from others. But as long as we do everything with love and humility, we have nothing to fear. The division that might come from standing firm in our faith will, in time, turn into unity—because the light of Jesus always brings healing, peace, and reconciliation.

The same Holy Spirit who filled the apostles with courage is alive and active in us today. He wants to set our hearts ablaze so that we can become true witnesses of Jesus in our homes, workplaces, communities, and the world.

Are we willing to let the Holy Spirit set us on fire so that others may also catch the flame of God’s love through us? — Marino J. Dasmarinas