First reading Romans 6:19-23
Now you are set free from sin, and slaves to God
If I may use human terms to help your natural weakness: as once you put your bodies at the service of vice and immorality, so now you must put them at the service of righteousness for your sanctification.
When you were slaves of sin, you felt no obligation to righteousness, and what did you get from this? Nothing but experiences that now make you blush, since that sort of behaviour ends in death. Now, however, you have been set free from sin, you have been made slaves of God, and you get a reward leading to your sanctification and ending in eternal life. For the wage paid by sin is death; the present given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm 1:1-4,6
Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Happy indeed is the man
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord
and who ponders his law day and night.
He is like a tree that is planted
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season
and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so!
For they like winnowed chaff
shall be driven away by the wind:
for the Lord guards the way of the just
but the way of the wicked leads to doom.
Gospel Luke 12:49-53
How I wish it were blazing already!
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
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Fire of love blazing within
“I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!” The fire that Jesus brings is the fire of God’s merciful and unconditional love. As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to have this same fire blazing strongly in us. This fire of God’s love burns away our hidden selfish intentions and judgements. This fire of God’s love guides our motivations and energises us to live a life according to the ways of Jesus. Ablaze with God’s love, we love, work for justice, forgive, show compassion and build bridges of reconciliation.
When we follow Jesus and His ways, we might be at odds with people, even those closest to us. They might disapprove and reject us for the values we uphold and the choices we make. Conflicts will happen, and we must not be scared or alarmed. What we have to do is remain united to Jesus and trust that He will always provide us with the strength to follow Him.
Reflective question:
How can I be faithful and courageous in my following of Jesus?
How can I be faithful and courageous in my following of Jesus?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
