Twentieth Sunday of the Year: C: August 14, 2022

THE PROPHETIC MISSION OF THE DISCIPLES

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

Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 1-4

Gospel Reading: Luke 12: 49-53

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. A detailed description of the persecutions and the many sufferings Jeremiah underwent is given. He is accused of treason by his bitter enemies. They want to destroy him. They put him in a well deep down, covered in mud and water upto his knees. They torture him because he speaks against the injustice, evil and sins committed by the chosen people of God. However the Lord God protects him from all harm. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. The Apostle exhorts all Christians to persevere in their faith regardless of the cost. He also encourages them to resist all temptations to sin till the last drop of their blood. 

I came to cast fire on earth.                                                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus warns His disciples and all of us that following Him is a very difficult task. It brings division in the life of a believer. So they are called to declare their loyalties and get their priorities right. Discipleship brings division within the family and in the community. Jesus speaks about a divided house: three against two. There will be divisions between father and son, mother and daughter and so on. When we stand for the values of Christ, family ties may get broken and relationships may get strained. Hence a true follower of Christ is a threat - a source of division, a light that shows up in the darkness. Such a person will be opposed by those who want to remain in darkness. Through today's Gospel Jesus exhorts us that as Christians we have to stand up against all evil - all that leads us away from genuine love of God and of neighbour. Jesus demands such a prophetic mission from His disciples. 

"When I give bread to the poor, they call me a saint. But when I ask why the poor have no bread, they call me a communist." - Helder Camera

"If they kill all your priests and bishops, each one of you should become God's microphones, each one of you should become a prophet; I do not believe in death without resurrection." - Blessed Oscar Romero (Martyred Arch Bishop of El Salvadore)