Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
August 14, 2016
Gospel: Lk 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples: I have come to set the
earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with
which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish (1) until it is accomplished (2)!
Do you think that I have come to establish (2) peace on the earth? No, I tell you,
but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three
against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and
a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against
her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law.”
(http://www.usccb.org)
The difficult words
(1)Anguish is terrible pain and suffering.
(2)To accomplish and to establish both mean to get something
important done so that it will last for a long time.
This week’s spotlight
Fire
Jesus said that he came to set the earth on fire. Fine
is a powerful symbol in the Bible. It bums to destroy, to purify, to warm, and
to give light. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, and in a pillar of
fine. Elijah burned sacrifices to God and was taken to heaven on a fiery
chariot The Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost as tongues of fine. Saint John of
the Cross saw fire as the image of God's love in the soul. At first it seems to
attack us, but gradually it changes us and makes us burn with God’s own love.
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Every time we say the Lord's Prayer, we are reminded
that, if we want forgiveness for our sins, we have to forgive others. This is
one of the most difficult teachings of our faith! Jesus even commands us to
love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us (Luke 6:27)! So, what does it
mean to forgive? Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we become friends again, or that
what was done doesn’t hurt anymore. It really means choosing to "give
forth" to God our right to judge the person that hurt us. When we forgive,
we let go of the anger and pain that keep us stuck to the way that God loves.
When someone is mean to us, we don't have to become mean too. We can turn our
anger and sadness into prayer.
Reflection
Choose to love
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus uses words that are hard to
understand. First, he speaks of fire, and then of a baptism. Finally, he mentions
bringing division and not peace! The fire is the love that Jesus wants to burn
in our hearts.The baptism is the suffering he will endure for us.The division
comes from those who will reject his love. It’s as if Jesus is feeling
impatient as he preaches the Good News to the human family. He wants people to
change their hearts, but he seems to know that many people will hate the
message of love. Choosing to follow Jesus can indeed be difficult. When you
stick up for someone who is being picked on, there will be a division. When you
tell the truth when everyone else is lying, there will be a division.When you
have hope when everyone else seems discouraged, there will be a division. Don’t
be afraid. Follow Jesus, and let fire of his love burn in your heart!
Discussion questions
1.What does Jesus mean when he speaks of his baptism and fire?
2.What does Jesus say he must still do before his mission is done?
3.Why do you think Jesus says he brings division?
4.Why will families be divided?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. You
suffered and died for me. Help me to be brave when I face struggles because of
my faith in you. Help me to love and forgive, especially when it is difficult.
This week…
See
others as Jesus would see them
Think about someone who annoys
you. Ask Jesus to help you see some good quality in that I person. In your
heart, thank God for making this person, and for helping you grow in love.
Make the choice of
love
Do you know someone who always seems to get teased or
picked on? Reach out to that person! Show that person the love of Jesus by
offering your friendship and inviting him or her to participate in an activity
with you.
Crossword Puzzle
Source: usccb.org
- Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com
–usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm