20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

Luke 12:49-53

“‘I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!’” (Luke 12:49)

In recent Mass readings, we have been continuously called on to live with our eyes fixed on the Kingdom of God, not the things of earth. And in today’s readings–as the prophet Jeremiah is thrown into a cistern for delivering God’s challenging message, and Jesus warns of impending divisions within families–we are again reminded to live for the Kingdom, no matter the cost.

Though we’re fortunate in the U.S. to not be at risk of being thrown into cisterns or other harsh persecutions, the Good News may be met with resistance in our post-Christendom society: Non-believers thinking they already understand and can easily dismiss or condemn Christianity; some Christians following a diluted form of the Gospel, not the true demands it makes.

Yet this landscape shouldn’t lead us to withdraw, hiding the pearl of great price we’ve received. Instead, we do well to consider the ultimate goal. 

The God who has shown Himself to be fiercely after your heart; to love you with radical mercy; and to relentlessly care about you, in ways big and small–He desperately loves each person you see and wants everyone to know his love and friendship. In fact, this reading displays some of the vulnerability of his love: Jesus seemingly shows frustrated impatience. 

And when our hearts are fixed on the Kingdom–the healing, freedom, perfect love, mercy, and joy God offers–how can we not but desire to have others experience it too? A sign of his love burning within you is the desire to share it. 

Jesus doesn’t preach or show a love that condones everything in the name of acceptance. God cares too much for our true freedom than to do that. And as we continue to walk with people as they journey closer to Him, Scripture must be opened up for them, and there will inevitably be a refining process–just as there continuously is for us. 

But perhaps the simplest first step in sharing the Good News is to humbly, sometimes relentlessly, let someone know they are seen and loved. 

Lord, please set us ablaze, so we may draw others to the light and warmth of your glory and love.