Thursday 20 October 2022

Today is Thursday the 20th of October in the twenty ninth week of Ordinary time.

David James, with the Sixteen Orchestra, conducted by Harry Christophers, sings the aria from Handel’s Messiah:

“But who may abide the day of his coming?
And who shall stand when he appeareth?
For he is like a refiner’s fire.”

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

This isn't "gentle Jesus meek and mild" talking. This is Jesus warning us that faith can carry a price. Have you ever found yourself in conflict because of your faith? Having to pay a price for it? What was that experience like? How did you handle it?

Our world fears religious fanaticism and the violence it can arouse. Is this what Jesus is advocating? Or does his ‘fire on earth’ mean something else?

Jesus talks elsewhere about turning the other cheek and about his gift of peace. As you listen again, does his message here seem to contradict all of that? Or can you find some way of reconciling them, some way in which these words can fit all together?

What do you want to say now to the Jesus who is the prince of peace, but also who brings fire to the earth?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.