I HAVE COME TO BRING FIRE TO THE EARTH

XX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 12:49-53

This Sunday’s gospel presents three sayings of Jesus, which may sound a bit strange, but they lead us to reflect upon the true meaning of discipleship. The sayings may be summarised in three words: fire, baptism, and peace-division.

Jesus came to bring fire to earth. What fire is it? It is used for melting and warming, burning and cooking. It gives light and dispels darkness. Fire may as well set everything ablaze, destroying everything on its path. Jesus wants to set the world ablaze. Does it mean that Jesus is intent on destruction and death? Far from it. Jesus came to bring salvation and life. The fire symbolises the glory of God and his protecting love, like the column of fire that showed the way and protected the people of Israel from the pursuit of the Egyptians (Ex 13:21). It is the fire of the Spirit of God, who sanctifies us and guides us through a path of righteousness. It is a purifying fire which sets us free from the power of evil. We need this fire, so that the world may be transformed and made anew.

Then, Jesus speaks about a baptism that he must receive. He is not referring to the baptism that he received from John. That one was only a preparation for another baptism, the baptism of his passion and death. When the two brothers pleaded with him to allow them to be seated at his right and his left, he asked them: “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” In this question and the subsequent answer, Jesus made it clear that he was speaking about his death on the cross. According to Paul, baptism associates us with the passion and death of Jesus: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death?” (Ro 6:3).

In the third saying, Jesus puts it bluntly that, before him, we are forced to choose and that choice may put us in conflict with others, even within our family. Discipleship demands faithfulness and this faithfulness implies attitudes that may lead others to reject us. We must be ready for that. Jesus did not come to bring violence and we cannot be his disciples if we are intent on violence and war. However, the disciples of Jesus must be prepared to suffer violence as he suffered. To his disciples, Jesus did not come to bring earthly well-being. We must prepare ourselves to carry the cross in the manner of Jesus.

“Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Mt 10:38-39).