Thursday of the 29th week in ordinary time
Ephesians 3: 14-21 Luke 12: 49-53
Theme: I come to bring division
This statement coming from Jesus Christ himself in today’s gospel, can easily be misunderstood on a face value. This is because we all know who Jesus is and what he represents. He is a man of peace and unity; so, he cannot be advocating for division or disunity of any kind. When Jesus talks about division among close family members and friends, he is simply pointing out the fact that there will be conflict of interests and values. This is because anyone who stands with Jesus will stand for the truth and what is always right; not minding who gets hurt in the process. While the other group, may be more comfortable with the ways of the world that will be contrary to the ways of God. Given this type of situation in any family, there are bound to be division and conflict because of the different values that each of the two groups uphold. So, all those who are ready to stand for the truth, which is the way of God, are bound to experience opposition from those who go by the world.
Dear friends in Christ, as children of God, Jesus is inviting us to embrace the gospel imperatives and always stand for the truth. To embrace this option is to be a true ambassador of Christ wherever we find ourselves. The effect of our authentic witnessing will be felt anywhere we find ourselves. This is a wonderful way of witnessing to Christ in our society today. In our own time, people are tired of hearing the word of God, they want to see you and I as Christians live the word of God in our daily lives. What this simply means is that we must be doers of the word of God that we hear and preach. This is where the real challenge is, for you and I who are Christians in our own time. It is easy to preach the word of God and listen to others preach it; but the real challenge is putting into practice the word that we listen to and preach sometimes. Today we are encouraged to make effort to practice the word of God that we hear and preach. A harmony between both will bring about the desired change for a better world.
May God grant us the grace to always be an instrument of peace wherever we find ourselves, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you