Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Luke 12: 54-59

Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Technology is amazing. You can Google almost any question and find out the answer immediately.

For example, “Can dogs eat bananas?” … “Why do cats purr?” …  “How many gallons of water are in the Atlantic Ocean?”

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But there are other questions – deeper, more existential questions – that Google cannot answer. Questions, which even the people in Jesus’ time should’ve asked.

“What’s the meaning of life?” … “Why am I here?” … “Who is this Jesus? Is he really who he says he is?” … “What difference does God make in my life?”

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God gives each of us a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a conscience to discern his will for our lives. But sometimes we rise to the surface – and not in a good sense. We can be content with just material things or going through the motions.

It’s this type of shallowness which Jesus addresses in today’s Gospel. The crowds think of simple things like weather patterns, but they never wonder what – or Who – is beyond the skies. 

“You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky,” he says. “Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” 

Jesus was calling them into discipleship and they had no idea.

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I’m sure our minds will be filled with dozens – if not hundreds – of questions today, like, 
“Where are my keys?” … Or even, “Why do cats purr?” 

But take the time to contemplate the bigger questions, too, like, “Why does my faith matter to me?”

Then do something about it.

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Image credits: (1) HubPages (2) Google Search (3) Mark Shaefer

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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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“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

What is this “fire” that Jesus is referring to? 

The “fire” of God’s red-hot love. 

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If you are in a good place spiritually, then that love feels like a “fire” in the best sense of the word – God’s love warms you and illumines your path.

As the Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp for my path and a light – a ‘fire’ – for my steps.” 

God’s love can also fill your heart with fiery passion. As the prophet Jeremiah says, “Your WORD is like a fire in my bones; woe to me if I do not preach it!” 

We also see this divine fire at work in the lives of the Saints, who put God first in their lives.

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But, if you’re not in a good place spiritually, then that same divine “fire” can feel painful as it purifies your heart.

For example, the first day of sobriety can feel like fire to an addict. But what is God doing? Burning away an addiction that once held you captive.

Telling the truth can feel like fire to someone caught in a lie. But God is burning away dishonesty.

Forgiving a deep-seeded wound can feel like fire to someone who’s been nursing a grudge. But God is burning the anger out of your heart.

An act of humility can feel like fire to our ego. But humility is always superior to pride.

Honesty, self-control, forgiveness, and humility … these are all good things! They’re necessary for spiritual growth and healthy relationships. But sometimes they burn; that’s the purifying hand of the Lord at work in our lives.

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Where in my heart do I need that divine fire?

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“I have come to set the earth on fire,” the Lord says. Meaning, “I have come to purify.” May it begin with me.

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Image credits: (1) Science News (2) Bishop Robert Baron, X (3) Pinterest

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Gospel: Luke 12: 29-48

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly. 
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Why does Jesus refer to himself as a “thief” in today’s Gospel?

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“If the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming,” he says, “he would not have let his house be broken into. You must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Thieves are threatening figures. They steal; take; pilfer what isn’t theirs. But Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life. He doesn’t steal.

So, why would he refer to himself as a “thief?”

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It depends upon who you ask.

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Remember the story of the rich young man.

One day he approached Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

Jesus, “looking at him, loved him, and said, ‘You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, then and come follow me.’”

But the man walked away sad, “for he had many possessions.”

To him, Jesus felt like a thief, because he was laying claim to the man’s riches; his freedom; even his future. He was teaching the rich young man that everything – even his life – belongs to God.

A similar lesson is being shared with the crowds in today’s Gospel. They are nearly trampling one another underfoot, eager to listen to Jesus.

Weeding out those who are serious about following him from those who are not, Jesus makes the standard of discipleship clear: he wants us to place everything we have and are into in his hands.

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How does such a demand make me feel? Is Jesus a thief or a friend?

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I suppose it depends upon who you ask.

What do you say?

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Image credits: (1) Scripture Way (2) The Glory of His Grace, WordPress (3) Wyoming Department of Health