Gospel  LK 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.”
 
Reflection:
 
Jesus’ every word and action pointed people toward
the love of the Father.
 
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire…”
Jesus’ heart was “on fire” with the love of His, and our, Father.
 
“…and how I wish it were already blazing!”
To ‘wish” is to hope for……Jesus’ hope was that the heart of everyone on earth was “already blazing” with the love of His Father.
 
“There is a baptism with which I must be baptized…..”
To “baptize” is to dip…..Jesus knew that He must willingly be “dipped” in death in order that others may understand the depth of His and the Father’s love for them.
 
“…..and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!”
Jesus’ great “anguish” was a world filled with judgement and vengeance.
 
He resolutely marched to Jerusalem to accept death on a cross to prove, once and for all, that the power of love will always prevail even over death.
 
Jesus’ knew His death and resurrection would unleash the love of God, create great division, and call each person to decide, “Which side are you on?’
 
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”                                     – – Jimi Hendrix