Homily: Twenty-ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time
Twenty-ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 12:49-53) “The Divisive Jesus”
Everyone has the same feeling during these difficult times. We are a divided nation. We are a divided church. Why is that the case? Everyone asks that question as well as asking how we might heal the divisions between people.
When we think of Jesus, we normally equate him with peace and love and tranquility. That is why this Gospel is so jarring. He says, “I have come to sew division.” The Gospel message often brings division between people.
Why did this division come about in the early church? It was probably because members of families were pulled in different directions. Jewish Christians were misunderstood by their Jewish relatives. People who were in part of established religions in Greece and Rome left their faith to become Christian. Their relatives, again, could not understand. The value system was different. Humility, a primary Christian virtue, for example, was not something that was admired in Greek and Roman society. Serving others voluntarily was also something that one would not choose if they had any self-esteem.
My point is that religion being something that divides people is not a new phenomenon. Jesus says that is something to be expected. If we are not making some people uncomfortable by our Christian witness, we are probably not living the fullness of the Gospel.
When someone rubs me the wrong way I try to ask why? I look at the qualities they are exhibiting. I find that often what I don’t like in someone else is what I don’t like in myself. When I see this, I must admit that I grow more self-aware.
Perhaps that is the key. We need to change ourselves rather than trying to change other people. Not that we will agree, but we will find greater understanding.
Reflection Questions:
- Who is someone that I am at odds with right now? What is a quality in them I don’t like?
- Do I admire everything about Jesus? Is there a quality that he has that annoys me to some degree?
Dear Parishioners,
Our parish mission seems to have touched a lot of people. I did not know how it would unfold given the ongoing struggles we have with the pandemic, but several people were moved. We had one woman who inquired about RCIA after Fr. Britto preached Sunday Mass.
I had a priest who was a mentor to me say to me once, “If you get ordained and you say one Mass everything you sacrifice is worth it.” If you baptize one person and bring them into the faith it is worth it.
I try to remember that as I minister to others. If a parish program makes a difference in one person’s life it makes it worthwhile. Thanks to all those who came to the mission and all those who watched the live feed and have viewed the talks online.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Since the Mission is over, I will be writing my reflections again- Tuesday-Friday and on Sunday. It was good to hear an alternative voice wasn’t it.