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Lk. 12:49-56: These sayings, originally detached, are loosely joined here. They have nothing in common, except, perhaps, the style: bold realism.
- Jesus' Mission is "to cast fire upon the earth": fire is used to test the quality of the metals; so here Jesus' word and His Spirit will be the norm to determine who are ready for the Kingdom.
- Jesus compares His passion with a baptism; but not the way it is administered now; only a ritual of total immersion, as performed in the early Church, and in some Protestant Churches now, would make the comparison meaningful. Jesus will be plunged into a pool of physical and psychological pain. And the "distress" accompanying him till it is over is the internal struggle between the natural fear and the urge to do the will of the Father.
- The Prince of Peace bringing division? Peace, yes, but not at any price. Jesus would not bring about the Kingdom without touching the status quo. Many things should change, and changes meet supporters and opponents: The former are peace-makers, but the latter resort to arms; so there will be divisions, not intended by Jesus, but by His opponents.
Dear Jesus, shake our hearts with Your zeal, Your Passion and Your peace!
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That all those who are baptized may mature in their faith and manifest it through clear, coherent and courageous choices in life.
Elaboration
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