The gospel for Thursday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time is taken from Luke 12:49, 53. Jesus said to his disciples, I’ve come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it was already blazing. There’s a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished. Do you think 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. Jesus chooses a radical image of fire to describe his work. And fire is seemingly something that we would say destroys things. But he’s saying no.

It’s also a thing that purifies it. It burns out all impurities. We cling to our impurities, our half truths, our lies. So what he’s saying is that if you’re going to engage in this work of the kingdom, you’re going to be engaged in a transformative work that feels like death. And those who refuse to die hate those that are calling them to new life. Take a moment to reflect upon these images, and I will end with a closing prayer.

Foreign closing prayer. Father, the work of the kingdom is truly a work of transformation. Help us to be patient with one another as we, each of us, struggle with the transformation that is required. Help us not to judge those who resist, but just long for their transformation. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.