This Sunday, August 17, is the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. The gospel reading focuses on Jesus’ truth, which brings division. This gospel is challenging to read, but it has a tremendous message. Let’s take a look.
Gospel Text
“Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on, a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be 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 a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Truth Brings About Division
The readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time speak of conflict. In the first reading (Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10), King Zedekiah turns Jeremiah over to the princes because Jeremiah is prophesying the impending defeat at the hands of the Babylonians. The princes lower him into a cistern where he will surely die. Ebed-melech, a king’s servant, confronts Zedekiah, who orders the release of Jeremiah from the cistern. Jeremiah spoke the truth as Zedekiah’s weak leadership led to the eventual fall to the Babylonians.
The second reading (Hebrews 12:1-4) encourages us to persevere in our faith. The initial audience that heard this message was being severely persecuted, and in some cases, losing faith. Paul’s message of “running the race that lies before us” is about living the Christian values and persevering by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Gospel Message
The gospel message is difficult, as Jesus is preaching about division instead of peace. His reference to “set the earth on fire” could refer to either the end days or the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. These words are often interpreted as encouragement for rejected people because they follow Christ. Jesus is not advocating violence by any means. He is stating that faithfulness may lead to division, but it also leads to eternal purpose. Jesus’ truth was dividing then, and it still is today. This passage points to a form of suffering of Jesus’ followers in the second reading. Following Jesus isn’t easy. He speaks to the suffering we will endure in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:11-12):
“Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Paul sums it up well in the reading from the Letter to the Hebrews:
“Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”
We as faithful people must persevere and keep our focus on Jesus. This is the only way to “run the race!”
Please share your thoughts on the article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
If you like this article, you might enjoy:
Unity in a Divided World: A Spiritual Guide
Gerrymandering: Deepening the Divide in the U.S.
Vigilant: The Call To Be Prepared Always
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