Homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 14, 2022. The Gospel of St. Luke 2:49-53. Theme: FIRE!!!!
This Sunday’s Gospel probably shakes some of us up a bit because it presents us with an unexpected image of Jesus. Christ is typically imagined to be a kind of an all-inclusive, uber-tolerant spiritual teacher and preacher of universal love. And of course, there’s some truth to that image. But as with all religious distortions it’s wrong because it’s incomplete. The Gospels also present us with a strong and demanding Jesus, one who insists that loving him and following him must be cherished at all costs and come first among our many relationships. That’s the picture of Jesus that St. Luke shows us in today’s Gospel.
I’m sure it sounds quite shocking that faith in Christ might alienate us from our loved ones and even give rise to destruction of relationships. And yet that’s exactly what happened to so many converts in the first few centuries of Christianity. Before the Church became a legal religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, conversion demanded an heroic decision that often tore families apart. And Jesus’ prophecy of parents rising up against their children was often proven to be true. The young brave virgin-martyrs, Saints Barabra and Dymphna, for example, were beheaded by their own fathers!
Because professing faith in Christ often meant being cut off from the social safety nets of family, income and protection, the early Church made converts pass through an RCIA type program that was several years long! A person had to be convinced of who and what Jesus was and not simply giving in to a passing fascination. But you know, this experience of the early Christians facing shunning or even death, is not something that was just for long long ago in ancient times. Discrimination, division and even violence happens today in the 21st century to Christian converts in Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Mormon, and Jehovah Witness communities.
And you know, it can even happen right here in the USA, in Marin County. When the teachings of Christ conflict with the opposing cultural moral standards adopted by one’s children or friends, today’s Gospel of fire and sword can become a reality. A believer’s serious commitment to Christ can make others uneasy and even rouse up downright hostility. When Christians cannot support or celebrate certain lifestyles and choices made by loved ones, a veritable storm of hurtful accusations and emotional drama can easily arise.
But even when things get difficult and it would seem so much easier to just sweep conflicts under the rug, so to speak, we need to warm ourselves at the fire of faith that Jesus came to start on planet Earth. It’s a spiritual fire, a holy fire, that energizes us to combat the power of evil in the world. It’s the fire of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us so that we can give witness to truth and goodness in the midst of a very confused world. This is how we Christians are called to renew the face of the earth. But we must begin by renewing our own lives first by our communion with Christ through daily prayer and especially by the mindful reception of his Flesh and Blood in the Eucharist. Only when this fire is blazing within us can its sparks jump onto those we love. The witness of our unswerving fidelity to Jesus, even above our most precious relationships, is powerful and can cause others to pause and ponder. Many have been eventually brought to Christ by such an example.
So, today’s Gospel definitely does not show us Jesus as the Prince of Peace and Gentle Shepherd. Rather, we encounter the Christ of Fire and Sword! He is calling us to fan the flames of conviction and commitment to God in our hearts and in the lives of others. His preaching of the Gospel and miracles of the Kingdom ignited that fire. His Passion and Resurrection fanned it into roaring flames. And ever since Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit takes this fire and kindles it in the hearts of all who truly believe so that the fire of love for Jesus can spread over all the earth.
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