Jesus says he has come to bring fire and division to the earth. He wishes the fire were already kindled but must first undergo baptism and suffering. Jesus predicts division will occur within families, with father against son, mother against daughter, and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law. The reflection calls the reader to examine what enslaves them and how they can respond to Jesus, sink roots into living water, and bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit for others. The prayer asks God for the ability to produce the good harvest of the Holy Spirit and focus on the life Jesus has given through living out the good news.
6. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 12:
Jesus said to his disciples, "I have come to bring fire upon the earth
and how I wish it were already kindled; but I have a baptism to
undergo and what anguish I feel until it is over!
"Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell
you, but rather division. From now on, in one house five 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 her mother-in-law."
7. eflection
To what “evil task master” have I been enslaved? What is my
response to the new Master Who has paid the price for my
freedom? How can I sink my roots more deeply into living water
flowing from the Lord Jesus? What aspects of the harvest of the
Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness,
GOoDness, humility, self-control) will I bear so that others can taste
of the GOoDness of the Lord Jesus and begin to accept the
freedom which He has won and given to them?
8. Prayer
Blessed are You, LORD GOD of all life. Through Your GOoDness, we have the ability
to produce the GOoD harvest of the Holy Spirit. All that we do is only possible when
we sink our roots deeply into the living waters that You have given us. At times, we
have let sin rule our lives and lead us away from You and toward eternal death.
We seek Your pardon and peace. With the inspiration which comes from Your Holy
Spirit, helps us to focus on the life that Your Son has given us through His living out
Your GOoD News in His earthly life, ministry, His death, and resurrection.
We lift this prayer to You in and through Your Son, Jesus, Who is living and reigning
with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
