The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

Collect

O God, who have prepared for those who love you good things which no eye can see, fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love, so that, loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises, which surpass every human desire. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection

In Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem, we find him teaching, warning, condemning and healing…Today’s reading is one such account, during which Jesus makes three comments / declarations about His own ministry. These comments and declarations are both strange and ironic! The same Jesus who preached peace and unity now shocks us with what He says. This is not the usual message, and it does not sit well with us. Jesus’ first declaration is found only in Luke’s Gospel: “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!” What is this fire which Jesus is speaking about with such ardour? The ardour Jesus is speaking of is the aim of His ministry. Jesus uses figurative language to convey His purpose on earth. When confronted with fire, one cannot remain passive. One must respond … make a decision. This is the fire of which Jesus speaks. It is a fire that does not allow one to remain unresponsive but urges us to roll up our sleeves and put our shoulders to the wheel. This is a fire that makes our hearts restless.

It is the fire that is described so well by the Prophet Jeremiah: “then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot” (Jer 20:9). The second declaration uttered by Jesus is about His baptism. Jesus is not referring to His baptism in the Jordan, but to that other baptism announced by John the Baptist: “one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3:16). What is this baptism that Jesus is so constrained until it is accomplished? It is the baptism of his death on the cross. It is the high price that He, of His own accord, offered to pay so that we might be saved. It is love that gives itself. In His third declaration, Jesus speaks about the consequences of this fire and of this baptism. What are these consequences? Opposition, indifference, hostility, division, conflict … even within our own families, amongst those closest to us, those with whom we are most intimate. This is the price that each disciple must pay. It is the price that I must be willing to pay if I want to follow the Master.

There are no excuses. There is no compromising with God. He spoke to us plainly and directly: “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions ...” (Mk 10: 29-30).Prayer Lord, I am struck by the determination that you had in keeping to your decisions. How firm was your will! You were not afraid to face any opposition. You were not even afraid of being disowned by Your own people. You always remained united to Your Father’s values. You were obedient even onto death on the cross. Do not allow me to be daunted. Do not allow me to be afraid. Do not allow me to become fearful and flee. Help me to remember that you have chosen me and that you will not abandon me. Because, even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for You are with me. The fullness of joy is in Your presence; eternal bliss is at your right hand. Amen.

Prayer

Lord, I am struck by the determination that you had in keeping to your decisions. How firm was your will! You were not afraid to face any opposition. You were not even afraid of being disowned by Your own people. You always remained united to Your Father’s values. You were obedient even onto death on the cross. Do not allow me to be daunted. Do not allow me to be afraid. Do not allow me to become fearful and flee. Help me to remember that you have chosen me and that you will not abandon me. Because, even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for You are with me. The fullness of joy is in Your presence; eternal bliss is at your right hand. Amen.