Pastor's Letter 20220814 - 14 August 2022 - Fire Upon the Earth

Father Michael · August 14, 2022

August 14^th, 2022

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Message from Father †Michael

Today’s Theme: “Fire Upon the Earth”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

In Hebrew, “jeremiad,” is a noun, defined as “a long, sad and complaining story of troubles, misfortunes, etc.” Incidents similar to that in today’s First Reading (Jeremiah 38:4-10,) earned the prophet a lasting place in English language usage (even among those unfamiliar with Hebrew Scriptures.) As our story begins, King Zedekiah is infuriated by Jeremiah’s lack of support for his campaign against the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar. Accused by the nobles of “demoralizing” the troops with his call for prayer and repentance, and, a hasty and humble surrender, he was handed over to them, and left in a cistern to die. Jeremiah’s release was aided by an Ethiopian eunuch, Ebed-Melech, who interceded with the king on his behalf.

~~~

Our Second Reading (Hebrews 12:1-4,) stresses the importance of faith and the necessity of discipline. By means of an athletic metaphor, the writer described Christian existence as an “endurance race,” or “marathon.” Christians are supported by a “cloud of witnesses,” a term from Greek classics— like the Old Testament heroes, who supported their efforts—which meant to encourage those presently involved in life’s struggles. Just as excess weight and unnecessary baggage hinder athletes, so do sin and the distractions of evil pervert the course of the Christian, who is coached to maintain a firm concentration on their intended goal (eternal salvation,) in the face of all adversity.

~~~

The crisis of decision and divisiveness that Jesus’ presence brought to bear on the world, is an integral part of today’s Gospel (Luke 12:49-53.) Today’s text is a composite of three independent sayings dealing with the effect Jesus’ ministry (and that of the disciples,) would have upon the world. Jesus made it clear there could be no neutrality or indifference to His words and works. Jesus is presented as longing for the world to be “ablaze with His fire”—a frequent metaphor for God, Himself, and for His intervention among His people. Fire is seen as an apt symbol for the action of God’s cleansing and refining activities. Thus, no one is to remain neutral in the presence of the redeeming, judging, Son of Man, Jesus. The challenge of the Gospel purifies and separates before it unites and brings peace.

Casting Fire on the Earth

We should not be surprised if the teachings of the Gospel divide people. Jesus’ sense of justice brought Him into conflict with those who exploited the weak and poor. His integrity brought Him into conflict with the narrow-minded and the bigoted. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows it casts.

There is a tendency today to “domesticate” the Gospel—to reduce it to pretty words and “feel-good” experiences. When that happens, the fire has gone out, the leaven has lost its power, the salt has lost its taste, the light has grown dim.

If Jesus had flattered people, and said only “nice” things to them, He could have made Himself popular. But He chose, instead, to disturb people, because they needed to be disturbed! His words shocked some and infuriated others. Those He spoke to the poor were different than how He interacted with the Pharisees. If we reduce the Gospel to a bland message to all, ignoring the differences between rich and poor, privileged and dispossessed, we betray the Word, and make it “insipid!”

It’s clear, however, that Jesus’ reference to fire and division were not meant to be taken literally. He taught that the Kingdom of God was open to everyone, saint and sinner, Jews and Gentiles, alike. He was gentle, but that doesn’t mean He was weak…. When occasion demanded, He could be very assertive, i.e., when He drove the money changers from the temple.

“Public opinion” is one of the strongest forces we observe in our modern world. The internet has brought the myriad thoughts of one and all to the forefront of our consciousness like nothing before in history. So, when we hear commentaries about how people and their actions are perceived, we must carefully filter truth from nonsense. This is no easy task, and one that most people are unwilling to undertake, as evidenced by the continuing proliferation of commentators. Virtually no personal interactions occur today without one or another of the participants seeking to “ask Google,” for clarifying information, during the conversation! Rather than a quest for truth, however, in many cases it serves to bolster an underlying skepticism we have for information on the one hand, and of one another, on the other.

Some people, who actively participate in charitable functions, are viewed by many as “doing God’s work.” However, if those same people openly lament deplorable conditions they observe, they may be dismissed as “socialists,” “insurrectionists,” or worse.

Our Blessed Lord, Jesus, and His disciples who came after Him, were challenged by similar conditions. Today, we often find evidence of families’ discord when a member simply espouses a contrary opinion. Social media abounds with stores of children who, are being confronted by school curricula that “fly in the face” of conventional wisdom, and even historical fact, i.e., critical race theory. Coming home with such indoctrination, they are sometimes met with disagreement and even anger. Such situations call for even more diligent efforts on the part of parents to reinforce traditional values and truth. If there is love in the family, then there must be understanding, as well. Carefully guiding youth, by careful reinforcement of Scriptural values, will do much to dispel such errors and discrepancies.

This requires the very strength of character that Jesus intended by His words and deeds. As “tenders of our Savior’s fire,” we must rededicate ourselves to the mission of cultivating holy principles.

True and False Peace

A swamp may look nice on the surface, but its depths are full of rotting things. Peace that is based on injustice is like that—it is a “false peace.”

But then, there is “true peace”—a peace in which all of God’s children have their basic rights respected, and are able to live in freedom and dignity. This is the peace that our Blessed Lord came to bring.

But peace like this just doesn’t happen; it has to be made.

Sometimes the peacemakers will be branded “trouble-makers.” But Jesus had another name for them: He called them, “Children of God.”

~~Anonymous~~

May God Richly Bless You!