Fourth Week

7^TH DAY

Luke 12, 49-53

I have come to bring fire to the world .

Reconsidering that beautiful image of Jesus, a communion hymn sings "Beggar of fire I take you in my hands like the hand that takes candlewood for the winter. and you become the fire that burns the world."

Throughout all the Bible, fire is the symbol of God; in the burning bush found by Moses, in the fire or lightening in the storm on Sinai, in the sacrifices at the Temple, where the victims were passed through fire, as a symbol of the final judgment that will purify all things:

Jesus compares himself to one who carries a winnowing fork to lift up the straw and throw it into the fire (Matthew 13, 40)

He speaks of the fire that will burn the unproductive tares (Matthew 13, 40)

But Jesus refused to make fire come down from heaven over the Samaritans (Luke 9, 54)

The Church, thereafter, lives off the "fire of the Spirit" descended in Pentecost (Act 2,3)

That fire burned in the hearts of the pilgrims of Emmaus when they listened to the Resurrected Jesus without recognizing Him . (Luke 24, 32)

And I would that it were already kindled!

When Jesus, in the preceding pages, recommends that we maintain a vigil, in attitude of service, He invited us to a constant availability to the will of God. Jesus himself gave example of that availability, of that burning desire to make the Kingdom of God some.
One should not be sleeping.
How I wish that the fire were kindled and burning! One needs to detach oneself from the banality of existence, to "burn" in the mists of the banalities of every day.

I have to receive a baptism, and how I am anguished until it is accomplished!

The salvation of the world . the purification, the redemption of men. these were not carried out without effort, nor without great suffering. We should never forget that.

How should we find it strange that it is hard for us, given that Jesus paid so dearly for it?

Lord, give us the grace to participate in your baptism.

Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

The Messiah was expected as Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9, 5; Zechariah 9, 10; Luke 2, 14; Ephesians 2, 14)

Peace is one of the greatest benefits desired by mankind; that without which all others are illusive and fragile. The Hebrews greeted each other by wishing peace: "shalom". Jesus took leave of sinners with that phrase full of meaning "Go in peace" (Luke 7, 50; 8, 48; 10, 5-9). And His disciples were to wish peace on the houses where they entered. But ..

That greeting, that new peace, comes to disturb the peace of this world.

It is not an easy peace, without difficulties, it is a peace that has to be built with difficulty.

Because from now onwards a family of five will be divided: Three against two, and two against three.. father against the son, and the son against the father. mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother.

We see each day, in many families, that type of conflict that Jesus announces. There will come a day when one has to decide, for or against Jesus; and within the family, the separation, the division, is painful.

I pray to you Lord, for the families divided for your sake: How serious is this taking up of position that You require! Destined, inevitable, necessary.