Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Jesus says that he has come to set a fire on the earth, and then states, “I wish it were already blazing.”
In another place, he condemns those who are lukewarm.
If Jesus has taken hold of us, then we can no longer be complacent, we cannot be comfortable with mediocrity in our religion. We must be ablaze, on fire, ready to spread out, spirited, energized.
Even those who seem to be most at peace with themselves can be aflame with the love of God that burns within them. In fact, I believe that those who are spiritually mature, have the fire of God’s love within them that motivates them to go deeper into the spiritual life.
Sometimes communities in the Church grow lukewarm and accustomed to a mediocre faith. That is why Pope John Paul II called for a New Evangelization — to awaken those who have fallen asleep in their religious devotion. Today, Jesus calls us to wake up too — to catch fire.
People of faith should want the fire in the belly that Jesus talks about in today’s Gospel.
But, with the fire comes a cost. Jesus says that division is often the result of those who practice their faith with zeal. Perhaps that is why we avoid being set ablaze by Jesus. We want to be accepted, but not everyone will accept those who live the Christian Way.
Someone once said that people have a difficult time living with saints. That is why saints are sometimes avoided and becoming a saint isn’t always the first priority in our lives. Bishop Robert Barron, in speaking recently to young people in Rome for the Jubilee Year, said, “The saints are people that know Whom to worship, they’re set toward God, and that’s why they become on fire.”
To be made into saints is our ultimate calling. To be on fire is the Lord’s desire for us.
Will the world reject us if we live what we believe? The short answer: yes.
And to that Jesus says: “Have no fear.”
Have a blessed week everyone.