HOMILY, THURSDAY OF THE 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
POPE JOHN PAUL II, [MEMORIAL]
Eph 3:2-12, Luke 12:49-53
THEME: BAPTISM OF FIRE
Christianity is not a group thing. Rather, a life lived together by those who individually, have encountered Christ. And obviously, no sustainable peace can be achieved in a home, family, or society where people are not led by the same spirit or governed by the same Lord. In our own case, each is expected to choose allegiance either to Christ or to the family. Hence, a family is bound to divide along the line of the choices made by its members.
“For henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three…”
More so, each will equally be judged based on his or her choice. “I came to cast fire upon earth; and would that it were already kindled.” Fire is symbol of judgment. We shall be responsible for our choices. The truth of the gospel is like a questioning rod on our life style; it brings the reality of our life before us and calls us into action.
Moreover, our life stands as contradiction to those who have refused to embrace the light. The opposition from the side of those who hate the narrow way are parts of the baptism that follows our choice for Christ. The Lord said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and I am constrained until it is accomplished.” He knows that preaching the truth of the kingdom will amount to persecutions, pain and suffering, but he was eager to ignite the fire. That was why he came, and he was ever ready to die for the purpose for which he came. The Lord wants to be part of the race.
They are under the BAPTISM OF FIRE who despite the hostility of the world, make the truth their watchword.
May we be strengthen that we may have the courage to pass through the crucibles that will lead us to our life destiny. Amen.
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