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Gospel: Luke 12: 49-53
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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This is one of the harder Gospels to digest, but we all know it’s true: faith causes division.
For example, how many of us are pained by the fact that someone we love doesn’t believe in God?
How many parents are afraid that their children or grandchildren will drift from the faith in college, marry outside of the Church, or dabble in other faiths and spiritualities?
Even marriage can be divided along faith lines. One spouse may go to church while the other stays at home. It hurts not having your spouse understand the deepest part of you.
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As a result, faith can become like politics; it’s something we just don’t talk about, even amongst family and friends.
So, how do we live a faith-centered life without burning bridges or turning people away?
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By simply living the faith we profess. Be the first to forgive, the first to turn the other cheek, the first to serve….and the last to speak.
As Pope Francis said recently, people aren’t attracted to “Christian parrots,” people who talk about Jesus, but don’t live like him.
Rather, people are drawn to Christians who are joyful, generous, light-hearted, and honest.
May our actions give someone a reason to believe today.
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Image credits: (1) AnaStPaul (2) St. Joseph’s University (3) Sacred Heart Parish, Mother Teresa