First Reading - Ephesians 3:14-21
Gospel - Luke 12:49-53
The first reading presents the prayer of Paul offered for the Christians in Ephesus. The structure of the intercession includes the prayer for faith and love. Paul, summing up his fraternal instructions, prays for faith so that Jesus may reign in the hearts of the people through faith and prays for love so that as believing community they may all be able to grasp the mysteries of faith. The prayer of Paul touches upon the personal faith of the individual and community building love as the prerequisites for the Christians. In short, the prayer of Paul paves ways to see faith as that unites all believers in love to seek together God's ways.
The gospel passage presents a very startling account enriched with imageries. Jesus uses the imageries of 'fire', 'baptism' and 'division'. The imageries are rich in meaning and deeply rooted in the historical context. Jesus uses the imagery of 'fire' from the Jewish perspective; 'Fire' symbolises the judgement of God or wrath of God. Hence, if this is considered from the continuity of the theme of the coming of the Son of Man then it refers to the parousia as the judgement of God which is to come about sometime. The imagery of 'baptism' is to be taken from the context of immersion or sunk into water with the experience of agony. Thus the imagery of baptism here refers to the passion and death of Jesus after which would follow his judgement as the Son of Man. The imagery of 'division' refers to the dispute and rejection of the believers by their kiths and kins on account of their faith. This also implies that Jesus is going to be the cause of division even at his second coming. As a whole, the gospel stresses that those who believe in Jesus will be separated from the unbelievers on the judgement to make a distinction between the believers and the unbelievers. The unbelievers will have to bear the judgement or wrath of God whereas the believers will enjoy the reward of eternal life.
Dear friends, reward of our faith is certain in Christ. As the gospel passage of today underlines the reward for believers in a subtle way. The gospel poses a challenge to us to remain on the side of Jesus despite challenges and difficulties. Jesus reminds us that faith in him is not easy but is demanding and challenging because of the oppositions and hostility. We have hundreds of exemplary saints who were opposed and tortured for their faith but they never gave but they always remained on the side of Jesus, steadfast in faith. Are we shattered by oppositions, challenges or difficulties that come on our way and we leave the side of Jesus? Certainly, there are times we leave the side of Jesus when we take recourse to sin knowingly. Let's not leave the side of Jesus but be emboldened by faith to remain faithful to him. Jesus will certainly reward us for our steadfast faithfulness to him.
The first reading reminds that faith in Christ leads the believers to form a community of love. Therefore, it's certainly with the support and prayers of the believing community, we can be assisted and also can support those members who struggle in their faith. It also reminds us that it's our duty to pray for our brothers and sisters who undergo pains and struggles so that they may not give up their faith in Christ but may be able to perceive God's wisdom in them.
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