20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
  Hebrews 12:1-4
  Luke 12:49-53

 

 

"Do you think that I have come to establish peace
on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division:'

 

 

This Sunday's gospel is quite intriguing. After Jesus spends a long catechesis on the kingdom values which make up the real treasure, we are now confronted by this peace-loving fellow who says so flatly: “I have come to set the earth on fire... I have come not to establish peace but division..." Like any of his other catechesis, this has an irreplaceable value. Certainly, Christ has come for division. In fact, this particular passage alone can cause division. Some interpret it as to mean violence, others do not. This is already a "division." But let us meditate and try to capture the meaning of our Lord's words.

 

1. Today's gospel goes along with other few passages like Christ telling his disciples to secure and bring sword (cf Lk 22:36) and Christ getting angry at the temple (cf Jn 2:13-17). To some, these are the particular events and teachings of Christ that justify violence. To others, however, these are simply isolated cases and to interpret them to the letter is trying to build a theology out of context.

 

Perhaps, the difficulty when one gets across with this kind of teaching is caused by confusion and guilt. Even people with honest conscience get confused and feel guilty when called to an option of getting arms and taking sides. To them, such option stands opposed to find religion. To them, a Christ crucified remains irreconcilable with a Christ fighting back. Thus, right at the back of their heads is the fear of mortal sin. This difficulty, however, may be eased when we ponder on these points.

 

First, these passages stand consistent with the totality of Christ’s gospel. Even perhaps with their strong instigative sense, they do not teach violence. Nevertheless, these passages suggest that any Christian is and must be open to that option. Such an option is not repugnant to Christian faith. Taking arms does not make us unchristian. We can be unchristian even without taking arms. Second, the option to violence is situational. The fact that these passages are few and isolated proves that this is not the general teaching of Christ. Only, there are situations that stones need stones in return. And it is in these situations that we even become unchristian when we do not opt for it. But even then, the law of love still prevails. That is, if ever we get into the option of violence, we get into it out of love. Third, we cannot do away with the reality of division. History is our best witness. Even salvation history is nothing else but an account of the struggle between the forces of good and evil. And this is not only between moral good and moral evil, but also between physical good and physical evil. So, taking sides is also a Christian option. Fourth, these are the words of Christ himself. Thus, no matter how isolated they may be, we must recognize them and take their worth. This is his gospel, after all. Fifth, the face value of today’s gospel reveals the humanity of Christ. We must admit that Christ is not devoid of human feelings and sentiments. This only proves that he is one like us, and we must be happy about it and of course be grateful for it. But these passages in no way diminish his divinity nor destroy his gospel of peace and unity. On the contrary, they even help us understand all the more what peace means before fire and unity before division.

 

2. Today's message may be well understood as we look at the person of Christ and the gospel he preaches in words and in deeds. Christ is the sign of contradiction. Even at his childhood, the holy Simeon foretold about him to be the rise and fall of many in Israel (cf Lk 2:34). Now, Christ confirms it with his own words. He sets fire on the earth and brings division to people and relations not because he intends this situation in itself nor does he find joy and fulfillment to see people misunderstand and quarrel each other. This is too far from Christ’s desire. But surely this thing is bound to happen as a necessary consequence of his message. The fire that he means is that fire which separates, cleanses and purifies those who are fit for the kingdom. Thus, it is divisive. It sets a fiery division between the fit and the unfit. And this goes on until the final day of reckoning.

 

The truth of Simeon's prophecy and of the words of Christ unveils itself right at the incarnation. As we see, the division takes place in various levels of peoples and relations. While there were wise men who awaited for his star and rejoiced when at last they saw it, there were also other nobles and kings who dreaded for his coming and demanded for his blood. While the inn keepers rejected him a place for the night, the poor shepherds braved the cold of winter just to welcome the holy child. Now, he is a full-grown man, but the division still continues. While multitudes follow to hear the word he preaches, taste the bread he multiplies and bring their sick for cure, there are also those who are unwilling to listen to him and constantly pose their reactions and accusations against him that would finally nail him to the cross.

 

The person and message of Christ certainly sets fire and division because there are and will always be people who either accept or reject the way, the truth and the life which Christ offers. Such acceptance may either be total or half-hearted, just as the rejection may be vehement or shown by mere indifference. The latter case is true to people who are "peace-lovers." They are those who, for the sake of peace, always keep their eyes, ears and mouths closed, and won't bother at all about what is going on in the world. This is sadly a wrong understanding of peace. And this is the kind of peace Christ wants to break and conquer. “Do you think that I hove come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” The cause of Christ always demands of taking sides. Thus, the option there from will either be for or against. He who keeps silent practically opts against it. In this case, Christ himself becomes his enemy. And this is not because Christ wants him to be his enemy, but because by being indifferent he declares himself an enemy. Thus, to him, Christ sets his fire and division. He throws him to the group of the unfit.

 

3. The evangelic value of today's gospel, therefore, is irreplaceable and must be undisputable (though sadly has always has always been subject to disputes). The truth of the matter is both in letter and spirit, in content and context. Thus, they even enrich our understanding and celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In this sacrament, we commemorate that final event when Christ set fire and division upon the earth. On the night he was betrayed, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it. The breaking is a divisive act. Yet, it is a decisive act, too. And Christ decides to divide himself not to ruin the world. He takes the pain of breaking himself and the joy of giving it freely so that he who believes and accepts may have life.