August 17, 2025
Luke 12: 49-53
‘I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing?
We, in our only time in history, are witnessing and living in a blazing world, and it is hardly something any one of us would wish for. Bombings and explosions in war torn countries, lightning strikes, arson, acres and acres of forest fires raging in mountains, coastal lands and people perishing in blazes along with their homes and possessions, leaving only their memories.
What prompted Jesus to wish the earth to be blazing? Was he exasperated? Was he fed up with the inability of people to listen to his message? Jesus goes on to say that he has come on the earth NOT to establish peace but rather division. It is not difficult to see that is exactly what is happening now. But is this the dream of Jesus? Are the heavens rejoicing when hate, suspicion, the misuse of power, retaliation and revenge, lies and deceit are the themes of the day? Is this the blaze that Jesus lived and died for?
I suggest that the blaze that Jesus referenced was the ‘fire in his belly’, the enthusiasm, the energy and the strong feelings of wanting liberation for all people…a fire so strong that the compassion and goodness that was in his heart burned and ached for all people to understand and accept.
Jesus was a realist. He knew that if we began paying attention to the fire of enthusiasm, and energy, along with the strong feelings of courage, compassion and goodness in our own bellies, woven together with the justice in our hearts that we would certainly be at odds with some of our families, friends, and others we care about and love. Jesus knew that our harsh judgments and fear would hold us back. We use the ageless excuses of “I’m too tired, too old, too set in my ways” to step out in courage and re-ignite the fire of justice and goodness in myself and in one another. Do we not believe that we are to be ‘disturbers of a false peace?’
May we re-commit ourselves to fan the flame of justice so that it burns our hearts to be about the liberation and welcome for all God people.
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.”
Meet Sister Anne Louise Nadeau, SNDdeN
