turn up the heat

Romans 6:19-23; Ps 1 Blessed are they who hope in the Lord; Luke 12:49-53

Words form the gospel
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!"

Now certainly we understand fire. We have recent experience of the destructive force that a fire brings to community, how quickly it spreads and how quickly it gets out of hand.

Texas has had its experience, in particular Bastrop. Fire is madness when it is unleashed on the earth.

But it is also very productive. It is the fire that actually enriches the soil once it has passed. The fire releases nitrogen other important nutrients back into the soil, creating a more suitable environment for growth. Fire also brings with it rapid regeneration of growth. Thus a greater diversity of species enlivens the ecosystem. Fires also release seeds that enable species of plants to be spread.



Now imagine that kind of force and madness of faithfulness to God, faithfulness in discipleship.

What would the world be like if the fire of seeking God's will were blazing in each of us?

We would be madness on the world, not causing havoc but just the opposite, bringing order, enriching the soil around us and enabling regeneration.

Thus, is the reversal JEsus brings to the earth.


Do we burn and blaze or is our life just puttering along.

It is time to turn up the heat.

Secondly, the gospel mentions, Do you think I have come to establish peace? No, I tell you division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father 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 daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."


Again the words of JEsus seem to be striking and shocking. Does he really mean division?

The meaning is simple and clear. Our attachment to the kingdom must be prior to any attachment or bond regardless of its nature whether it be parents, children, or spouse.

There is a lot of division in families already but it is not caused by the right motivation. Most division is caused by selfishness or greed or hormones.

But what would the world look like if we attached ourself first to the kingdom of God and let that became our driving force.
Division would happen and what a beautiful reality that would be.

How would the world look if we no longer forsook our faith or our faithfulness?

Our task is to make sure the divisions that happen are happening for the right reason.

Perhaps then the fire would truly blaze.

The greatest division however is within ourself. We must never forsake the kingdom for our own selfish desires.

As St. Paul tells us in the first reading, "But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? You have been freed form sin and are slaves of God, the benefit that leads to sanctification."

We must let the word of God in Christ divide us, cause division within us. Is this not what JEsus means when he ask us to deny ourselves, pick up the cross and follow him.

Only then do we bear the torch, only then do we set the world on fire.