Light Up!

   

  Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 18 August 2019
First reading Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

The officials said to the king, “This man [Jeremiah] should be put to death, because he is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such words to them. He is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.” King Zedekiah said, “Here he is; he is in your hands; for the king is powerless against you.” So they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. Now there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.

Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. The king happened to be sitting at the Benjamin Gate, So Ebed-melech left the king’s house and spoke to the king, “My lord king, these men have acted wickedly in all they did to the prophet Jeremiah by throwing him into the cistern to die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take three men with you from here, and pull the prophet Jeremiah up from the cistern before he dies.”

Second reading                                                          Hebrews 12:1-4

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Gospel                                                                         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.”

Reflection

By Jessa Janelle Padilla

Being just and a good follower sometimes draws different comments, either negative or positive, from the people around us. They may say ‘nagpapakitang tao lang iyan’ o ‘sumisipsip iyan’ yet our intention is not really to draw such things but just to follow orders. Only few may see our good intention yet let us not be disturbed about it. Continue on becoming just and do what is really good. 

In our first reading for today, the Prophet Jeremiah ought to be put to death for being accused of demoralizing the soldiers left in the city and for ruining the welfare of the society. However, the prophet’s intention was to let the city know the goodness of our Lord and let them become His followers. He is not into demoralizing them and ruining their welfare but he is into making them good servants of the Lord. Only few believed  the prophet’s real intention but this few is already a good number. In reality, we cannot please everyone around us. They do have their own perceptions and beliefs and we cannot expect support from them. We just need to be firm and continue what we are doing. No explanations needed since those who really believed in us will never questioned our intentions and those who do not will always think of ways how to destroy us and influence others not to believe. 

In our gospel for today, Jesus came to the earth to set it on fire and blazing. Why? Because Jesus is the fire that will bring out the goodness in everyone of us. He will light us up so that we could shine. Sometimes when we do things the first time, we would always say ‘Baptism of the Fire’. Why? The fire on us is being ignited for the first time. Jesus lit us to shine. Jesus lit us so that we could know Him more and share this fire to everyone. 

In sharing the fire, we cannot expect that we can light everyone’s fire. Like a match, not all its sticks would be lit. Some of it only contain little amount of chemical that would make it ignite. Some may be lit but  the wind will blow them out. Only few will keep on burning. The world’s reality is that believers continue to light up each others fire. Some fires would be lit and keep on burning, some may be lit but will be blown out. But do not lose hope. Jesus always brings us hope.

            Jesus also says that the fire will also bring division but do not be disturbed about the division rather make it a motivation, to burn the and give way to unity. Let us keep our fire burning that it may keep other's fire burning as well.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please light the fire in us and guide us to keep it burning. May we influence other's fires to burn. Through our fire, may we make You shine in us. In Your name we pray. Amen.

 Amen