Reflection for October 20 Thursday of the Twenty-ninth 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:

The story is told about two childhood best friends who grew up and went to the same university in college. Best friend number one noticed that something was not right in the behavior of his best friend. So, he asked his best friend if something is wrong best friend number two replied that nothing to worry because everything is fine. 

After a few days best friend number two was caught by the school authorities using illegal drugs.  Best friend number one who was a devout follower of Jesus told his best friend to straighten his life otherwise he would cut his ties with him.     

All along we have this impression of Jesus as a unifying factor, as a man of peace. But what the gospel presents to us is contrary to these images of Jesus. Because what we have in the gospel is a divisive Jesus that creates conflict amongst family members.  

 Indeed, Jesus creates conflict amongst family members’ even friends. That is who Jesus is, He is not afraid to create a wedge amongst us so that we would straighten our crooked ways. For example, if some members of your family don’t want to go to Sunday Mass, what would you do? Would you simply keep quiet and just let it be? Of course not! 

You have to speak and gently remind those members of your family who don’t want to worship God at Mass. Another example, let us say that a member of your family had a pregnancy out of wedlock and a member of your family is suggesting an abortion. Will you simply keep silent and agree about that evil suggestion? Of course not, you have to speak out against the offer of abortion.  

A true follower of the Lord is someone who is not afraid to say what is in his mind even if it is unpopular. Even if it creates temporary division and separation among members of family and friends. As followers of Jesus it is always our responsibility to gently correct those whom we feel are going astray or walking into the darkness with the devil.   

If they would listen to us well and good, if they won’t and it results to division or even conflict.  That’s fine at least we have done something to redirect their lives to the right way of life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas