“I have come to set the world on fire,” Jesus says.
Fire is often used in scripture as a symbol of divine power.
Just as fire has the ability to scorch, to singe, to separate, so God has the power to remove from our hearts whatever is sinful or impure.
But if Jesus is to do this purifying work within us, then our hearts must be open.
As we hear in the Book of Revelation, what Jesus cannot tolerate is a “lukewarm” heart – one that entertains both good and evil desires.
Such a person is on the fence, undecided about God.
But the Gospel reminds us that we must be either totally for or against Jesus; that middle ground of indecision will be burned away.
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So how strong is the divine fire within us? Has the Lord burned away every impure habit and inclination?
Or are there still lukewarm areas in our lives, places that need to be purified?
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There certainly are for me, which is why the Gospel is so challenging today.
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But Saint Paul tells us, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, think about these things… Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Everything else must go.