Set A Fire
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 12:49-53 - Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus is profoundly passionate about His mission. His passion is expressed in this violent image of fire consuming the earth. Jesus’ passion isn’t harmful to people; but it destroys everything that keeps people from Him. The world is full of dangers, attachments, and distractions that keep us from the life we are called to in Christ. Christ Jesus is a warrior who confronts these evils head-on, with violence. Are we warriors like Jesus, or do we sit back and let dangers creep into our faith, homes, and souls?
We have to become combative against evil and against anything that endangers our souls. Do we fight to protect our time, or are Sundays filled with shopping and our evenings filled with unnecessary activities? Do we fight to keep bad TV and movies and internet out of our house, or do we give in to everyone else’s standards? Do we have Christian rules about friends, dating, and the relationships we have, or are we careless about the company we keep? Do we live and proclaim the Faith boldly around family members, or are we timid— afraid to compromise family peace by rocking the boat? Jesus was serious, passionate, even violent about fighting every danger to our souls. It’s about time we acted the same way.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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