October22, 2020 Lk 12:49-53

The gospel for tomorrow is a little bit confusing since how the Gospel of Luke presents
the image of Jesus who will sets fire and bring division on the earth. A very unusual image of
Jesus which is well known to be the peace maker.

The image of fire which is frequently mentioned in the Bible and does not have just one
meaning. It could be the image of devastation and punishment, but it can also be the image of
purification and illumination.

When I was in the aspirancy stage of formation in OLAS joining the rally outside
honestly speaking doesn’t mean anything to me. I only join because I want to go outside and
experience it. I cannot see the meaning of walking along the streets, having placards, shouting
and etc. joining those people with what they are fighting for. Not until I try to ask one of those
people who are rallying that’s the time I understand the need of it, to set fire and disturbed the
others. I realized that I am not really into them because I am not affected, I don’t experience
what they are expiring, I am comfortable inside the seminary. Then I also realized that the one
that they are doing are not only for their selves but for those people who are not disturb, just like
me inside the seminary not affected to open our eyes and see for what is happening to others.
What I mean here is the same with what the gospel pinpointing to us, Jesus bring fire and
division to disturbed us. Because when we are comfortable and un affected most of the time we
don’t want to involve ourselves. We only act when we become affected.

Honest to goodness, if we try to examine our prayer life most of the time how often do
we pray to God? Correct me if I am wrong, but If I’m the one to answer it I can say that most of
the time we pray to God especially when we encounter problems asking for his help to heal and
provide us of what we need but beside that, we forget to thank him for our everyday life. Then if
our prayer was been delayed we often blame and ask if there were really God. If we are being
mindful and observant within the church most of the people become more prayerful when there
was a calamities and pandemic but beside that I don’t know. We tend not to act when we are not
disturbed. Actually the Gospel for tomorrow is somehow connected with the process of inner
child. Along the process we seems to be fine not until we’ve been confronted with our
experiences that really wounded us. To be confronted with our past was painful yet that is also
the part where we can helped and be healed. Same with what the Fire of Jesus that would bring
us it would disturb yet heal us.

Moreover, I know for sure that we all know the story of St. Francis how he was disturbed
by the Holy Spirit that leads him to conversion. In addition, not only him who was affected by
that disturbance, but the whole people of Assisi especially the way of life of the Church. It leads
to unite the people of Assisi.

In such a case, When we are disturb we are in the right path, that is why lets us recognize the
presence of Jesus to disturb us when we complacent in a sinful situation or relationship.