The Fire That Divides and Heals

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

17 August 2025

 

First Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53

 

Reflection By:

Bro. Carlo Alexis Malaluan

Diocese of Imus

I met Elizabeth in a retreat in Tagaytay. We became friends and told me her life story. After years of living a life centered on success and approval as a corporate manager in a multi-billion company in BGC, she encountered Christ in a deeply personal way during a silent retreat. Since then, something shifted. She didn’t become a saint overnight — no one does — but her priorities began to change. She started going to daily Mass, simplified her lifestyle, and spoke openly about her faith. At first, her family was proud. But soon, they began to feel uncomfortable. “You’re becoming too intense,” they said. “You used to be more fun.” The same people who once supported her began to keep their distance. She was torn — faith had awakened something beautiful in her, but it also brought a quiet kind of pain: misunderstanding, distance, even rejection even from the persons closest to her.

Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are not easy to hear: “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing!” And then, even more jarring: “Do you think I have come to bring peace? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

This doesn’t sound like the Jesus we imagine—the gentle shepherd, the healer of wounds, the one who calms storms. But the fire He speaks of is not the fire of violence or vengeance. It is the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of truth, the fire of transforming love. And yes, that fire brings division—not because it seeks to destroy, but because it compels us to choose.

There are moments when the Gospel will disturb our peace—not the peace of Christ, but the false peace we often cling to: peace based on pleasing everyone, avoiding difficult conversations, staying silent when truth is inconvenient. Jesus comes to set a fire to those illusions. And when someone begins to live out that Gospel, to walk away from comfort and toward conversion, it can cause ripples—sometimes even among those closest to us.

That’s why Jesus speaks of households divided. The Gospel changes people. It reorders priorities. And not everyone is ready for that change. Just like the young woman, when we begin to live with deeper conviction, we may be met not with applause, but with resistance—even misunderstanding or rejection from those who love us.

But here’s the truth: Jesus does not bring fire to punish. He brings fire to purify. The division He speaks of is not the end, but the beginning of something new. He divides not to scatter, but to reveal—to show us what truly matters, to awaken us from complacency, to call us into deeper fidelity.

So if you’re feeling that fire—if your faith has begun to cost you something, or set you apart—don’t be discouraged. That may be the very sign that Christ is near, burning away what cannot last, to make room for what is eternal.

Because the fire He brings does not only divide. It also heals, transforms, and sanctifies. It leaves us freer, truer, and more fully alive.

Prayer

Be Committed!

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 30 June 2019
First reading 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21

The Lord said to Elijah, “You shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.”

Elijah set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing, with twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?”

He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Second reading                                                          Galatians 5:1, 13-18

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become servants to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 9:51-62

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

“Ang Diyos Ama ang una mong magulang, kami ng nanay mo pangalawa lamang,” (God the Father is your first parent; your mother and I are only your second.) – this is my father's daily reminder to me when we converse about glorifying the Lord by my life. My father's advice is in line with the readings this Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time which challenge us to become true followers of Jesus Christ.

In today's Gospel, we heard Jesus said to the two men who desired to follow him: "Let the dead bury their dead....No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." At first, we may find those statements, discouraging. We would normally say, "You know that I love You Lord, but you have given me a family whom I also love. Can I put them in a good situation first before I follow You? Surely, You will be glad that I treasure them?". And we also tell, "I will try to obey all Your commandments, Lord". Just a try, not certain. And if we fail, we justify by reasoning: "At least I tried, maybe next time I'll be successful".

Jesus wants to tell us that entering the kingdom of God requires sacrifice and firm determination. The road is not easy especially to those halfhearted. Someone cannot enjoy the view from the mountain peak if he stopped climbing when the trail becomes rocky or slippery. A plowman will not yield a good harvest if his plow line become crooked because he started to look back and lost concentration on his job. When God calls us to His church, we are expected to give our whole heart so as to bear much fruit. When we responded to His call, we must never try to go back to the world we left behind. However, because of the many pleasures this world could offer – the lust of the flesh, the power of the hands, and the pride of life – we tend to look back and forget our calling. Just like when we demand commitment from others, Jesus also wants committed followers, not only with words, but more importantly with deeds. This is the type of commitment God expects from us - being ready to let go of everything as well as those beloved persons in our lives, our family. The good news is when we put our complete trust in God, He will never forsake nor leave us. We can have the assurance that God will supply all our needs and will take care of our families.

Are we still looking back at our old ways because we miss the pleasures we get? Reconsider our priorities in life. God is the fountain of true blessings that last forever. With Him, we will be satisfied. As what the priest said in his homily for the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, “Never be distracted. Stay focused on the voice of Jesus, our shepherd.”

For God is so committed so we must be committed to Him as well.

Prayer

Lord, it is not easy to follow You. But with Your grace, help us to give our complete trust in You and guide us to fully accept all of Your teachings. In this way, we can be able to obey Your commandments until we enter Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Are You Leaving Too?

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

26 August 2018

First reading                                                                   Joshua 24:1-2
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors-Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor-lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.

Second reading                                                     Ephesians 5:21-32

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind-yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.

Gospel                                                                     John  6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus remarked, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.”

For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”

Reflection

By Jessa Janelle Padilla

Who are we going to serve?  To whom would we commit? These are the questions that we need to ask ourselves based on our readings for today.

In our current situation, most people opt to serve those who are in power in order to obtain a little power. They disregard their morality and dignity just to serve them. The term ‘yes-person’ is so much used nowadays. But is it worth it? Are they happy and fulfilled? I think no, because only by serving the Lord can grant us happiness and make us fulfilled.

In my own perspective, I am not in favor of serving other gods other than our Savior Jesus Christ. I am not fond serving those in power. I don’t want to be a yes-person in order to gain power and popularity. I don’t want to disregard my morality and dignity to serve them. I am willing to serve those who are incapable and powerless since they are the representation of God here on earth. They are the ones who are most in need of our service. As a government employee, I took an oath to serve the people and their welfare.

                

In terms of commitment, I am now committed to serving the Church regardless of how busy my schedule is. I am devoting my day-off to serve Him as long as He permits me to do so.  He is my top priority and I am willing to cancel my schedule when He calls me. Just like one Sunday afternoon, my mother, my best friend, and I were hanging out in Ocean Park and I received a text message from my co-lector that they are in need of my help since the one who is scheduled to serve the last mass in the Cathedral is not available. I responded yes immediately since I believed that wherever I am or whatever I do, when He calls me I must respond yes to Him.

In our Second reading for today it reminds us especially those were joined by Him in marriage to be submissive to one another: to love and cherish each other as how God does to the Church. He reminds us that the two persons that He bond through marriage will become one flesh. Two persons as one just like Him and the Church. A great mystery that only those with a deep faith believes. Once we commit ourselves to somebody, we should be aware that we are being one with them.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus asks His twelve disciples if they also want to leave Him just like the other disciples who returned to their former way of life after hearing His words. If Jesus would ask us the same question, what would be our response to Him? Are we going to abandon Him or keep on following Him? Nowadays, some Christians are abandoning the Church because of lack of faith, influence of peers or some untoward incident such as the clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups in various parts of the world. Who would we blame that such incident happened? Is it God or ourselves? As Christians we should look after our fellow Christians and be responsible to keep their faith to God burning in their hearts, leading them in the right path and continue nourishing each other’s spiritual life. Let us not abandon each other so that we will all together serve, follow, and preach His words. Like Peter, let's affirm in our daily lives that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. Let our lives tell others that we have come to believe and are convinced that He is the Holy One of God.

Prayer

Lord, Jesus Christ, we thank You most sincerely on giving us the chance to serve You. Humble our hearts to serve those who are badly in need of our help. May You guide us in choosing whom we will commit and serve. And may we serve You with utmost loyalty and sincerity. United with the Blessed Virgin Mary we make this prayer. Amen.

One Step at a Time

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time  3 July 2016    

First reading
Isaiah 66:10-14

Rejoice, Jerusalem,

be glad for her, all you who love her!

Rejoice, rejoice for her,

all you who mourned her!

That you may be suckled, filled,

from her consoling breast,

that you may savour with delight

her glorious breasts.

For thus says the Lord:

Now towards her I send flowing

peace, like a river,

and like a stream in spate

the glory of the nations.

At her breast will her nurslings be carried

and fondled in her lap.

Like a son comforted by his mother

will I comfort you.

And by Jerusalem you will be comforted.

At the sight your heart will rejoice,

and your bones flourish like the grass.

To his servants the Lord will reveal his hand.

 

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 65:1-7,16,20

Second reading
Galatians 6:14-18

The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God.

  I want no more trouble from anybody after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.

Gospel	Luke 10:1-12,17-20

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road.

  ‘Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.

  ‘Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.” I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.’

  The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’

  Reflection
By Arthur B. Reyes

In today’s Gospel we hear of Jesus’ marching orders and instructions to His disciples whom He had sent ahead of Him. They were to go by pairs, carry no extra provisions, stay in the same house, and proclaim the message of peace and reconciliation.

 

As I write this reflection I came across a news feed about a discovered tunnel in Lithuania that allowed Jewish prisoners to escape to freedom, decades after they used it to flee the Nazis one night in April 1944. The escapees were part of a group tasked with the horrific job of burning bodies to cover up the Nazi’s crimes.

 

In one of the most moving moments in the epic movie Schindler’s List, Oscar Schindler, who had given away his efforts and fortune in saving the lives of hundreds of Jews begins to cry. Looking at his watch, he realized that if he had sold it he could have saved another life. He glanced at his car and knew that he could have exchanged it for additional lives. He says to his friend, "I could have done more."

 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” What exactly does this mean? The field, in which the harvest is, refers to us, the whole human race, or the whole world. And from the meaning of the field, it is clear what "harvest" means. In the broadest sense, it refers to the state of the whole human race as to its acceptance of goodness through truth.

 

Think of the people we come across every day: our family, our friends, our co-workers, our kasambahay, our neighbors, the gas station help, the jeepney driver, the security guard, and so on. That is our field and we are responsible for them, for each other in fact. When we realize that we are responsible, we will begin to have a sense of commitment.

 

I think the most effective form of evangelism we can offer is the way in which we live our lives, and by the example we set as Christians. The best place to start is in our homes and communities, and in our relationships with one another. I also believe that some of the best forms of evangelism come in small ways with random acts of kindness, like helping a distressed elderly lady carry her things. And certainly, we could do more than that. One kind act at a time will go a long mile, one step at a time.

 

Our job is not to save the harvest because God will take care of that. Our job is to tell people about the Lord of the harvest.

Prayer

Lord, we come to You as a community of disciples. Make us begin to see people as You see them, and stir our hearts to make a difference in the harvest. Create in us a reflection of your overflowing grace. Amen.