Thursday, 26 October 2017

Cause of division: Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (26th October, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (26th October, 2017) on the Gospel
 
Rom 6:19-23;
Ps 1:1-4.6. (R. Ps 39:5);
Lk 12:49-53.

Topic: Cause of division.
Jesus defined His mission in today’s gospel in a way that is often confusing. He said in part,
I came to bring fire to the earth....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 (Lk 12:49.51-52).
Based on this, some see lack of peace as synonymous with the presence of Christ. However, the bible calls God the God of peace, and also calls on us all to strive for peace with all, cf. Heb 12:14. 13:20; Judg 6:24; 2Cor 13:11; 1Thess 5:13. Isaiah identified the Messiah, as the prince of Peace. And His peace shall be endless, cf. Is 9:6-7. Again, Christ preached peace to all, cf. Eph 2:17.
However, there is no peace for the wicked, cf. Is 48:22. 57:21. True peace comes from God, cf. Jn 14:27. 16:33. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit, cf. Gal 5:22; Rom 8:6. Hence, God keeps those who trust in Him in perfect peace, cf. Is 26:3. The Psalmist wrote, “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints, to those who turn to him in their hearts” (Ps 85:8). Furthermore, peace requires proper disposition, cf. Matt 10:13; Lk 10:6.
Jesus did not call us to cause wars. However, Christian witnessing is often met by opposition, cf. 1Thess 2:14-15; 2Tim 3:8. Borrowing the words of the Psalmist, although Christians are for peace, but others are for fighting, cf. Ps 120:7. Our “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1Cor 14:33).
Bible Reading: Eph 2:11-22.
Thought for today: Christ is our peace, cf. Eph 2:14.
Let us pray: God, may we be people of peace all the days of our lives – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

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