Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus is the Prince of Peace (cf Is 9:5). However, today’s Gospel tells of Jesus as one who brings division on earth. What does this mean? The kind of division that is referred to in the Gospel is not born out of Jesus’ original intention. The Greek verb used in v 51 is didōmi, “to give,” another meaning of which is “to cause to happen.” The division being referred to in this context results from the decisions people make in relation to Jesus. Luke, in the beginning of his Gospel, already hints about the truth that Jesus “is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted” (2:34). People have to make their decision whether to accept Jesus or not. The opposing decisions cause the division which the Gospel refers to.
Do we decide to accept Jesus every day? How do we concretize our intention of making a stand for Jesus? Are we willing to face the consequences of choosing the values of Jesus over the values of the world?
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace (cf Is 9:5). However, today’s Gospel tells of Jesus as one who brings division on earth. What does this mean? The kind of division that is referred to in the Gospel is not born out of Jesus’ original intention. The Greek verb used in v 51 is didōmi, “to give,” another meaning of which is “to cause to happen.” The division being referred to in this context results from the decisions people make in relation to Jesus. Luke, in the beginning of his Gospel, already hints about the truth that Jesus “is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted” (2:34). People have to make their decision whether to accept Jesus or not. The opposing decisions cause the division which the Gospel refers to.
Do we decide to accept Jesus every day? How do we concretize our intention of making a stand for Jesus? Are we willing to face the consequences of choosing the values of Jesus over the values of the world?
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.