Reflection for the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary time

Divine Dialogue of God with the Soul

 

Although our hearts are turning to the Feast of the Assumption which we will celebrate on Monday, the 15th of August, we have three somber readings for this Sunday:

 

First Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53.

 

In the first reading we have the story of a kingdom that refuses to hear the Word of the Lord from the prophet Jeremiah because it is not a feel-good message, so they plot to kill the prophet. He comes very close to death: only by the intervention of a very brave court official, Ebed-melech, is Jeremiah rescued from the clutches of death. In the second reading, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus also suffered opposition from the very people whom He had come to save, enduring torture and death on the cross for them, so we should not be surprised when we have to suffer in our struggle against the powers of darkness, even to the point of shedding blood.

 

In the Gospel, Jesus Himself speaks of the fire with which He wishes to set the earth ablaze; this fire of course is the very suffering and death in anguish by which He longs to draw all men to Himself (John 12. 32) in love.

 

We must persevere in whatever struggles we find ourselves as we try to live faithfully in the Word of God. Difficult as it is for me to say this, here in our beloved country (and in many countries around the world) it is becoming harder and harder to live the Gospel in the marketplace. The sanctity of life at all stages and of marriage, the right of parents as first teachers of their children, the vision of Truth and the defense of all that is good, and much more are all coming under attack in the media, in our schools, and in the public forum. For some of us this attack has cost us our jobs, precious relationships and much that we hold dear. Few of us reading this have had to shed blood, but there is great pain in the price we do pay to defend what we know is our birthright in the faith.

 

The fire Jesus longed to set blazing has been burning in our hearts for a long time. The love of Christ urges us to continue in our gratitude for the blessings of our Catholic heritage, often passed down to us by generations of faithful forebears. Let us pray for one another that we may remain firm in our love of God and in our fidelity to our Catholic faith. These are worth every trial and struggle, and the price we may have to pay for the treasures we have inherited will be our reward for all eternity. We walk in the footsteps of the prophets, the apostles and, ultimately, our blessed Lord.

 

May God be with you in the days ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
“With Mary, our lives continually proclaim the greatness of the Lord and the joy experienced in rendering service to Him.”

Holy Rule

Make a difference today ~ help us reach those in need!