From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three. – Luke 12:52

       The family is the basic unit of society. Sadly, family feuds are a reality that not many talk about. Many arguments, challenges and issues unfold within the family.

       Families fight with each other and relatives are divided into camps. Often, the cause of these disputes are personality differences, money matters or long-buried resentments. There are no perfect families in the same way that there are no perfect people.

       And I wouldn’t have it any other way. For me, imperfection is that space where God can enter into our lives. Without these challenges and adversities, there will never be deeper discussions and “care-frontations” with our loved ones.

       Challenges are part of our lives. What becomes the big difference is how we use this space for God to enter into our families.

       I pray that we always remember to let God be the center of our lives — and that includes our family. Erika Mendoza (epaulmendoza@gmail.com)

Reflection: “A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.” (Henry Kissinger)

St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, priest and martyr, pray for us.

The life of a prophet is a dangerous one, especially if the people you are prophesying to do not like what you have to say. The people decide that Jeremiah has to go. They have had enough of him and his “messages from God.” We need to consider this as disciples of Jesus. Being a disciple is not easy. We will encounter great challenges as we follow Jesus. We must be ready to endure whatever may happen as we serve the Kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

4 In those days, the princes said to the king: “Jeremiah ought to be put to death; he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin.” 5 King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your power”; for the king could do nothing with them. 6 And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. 8 Ebed-melech, a court official, went there from the palace and said to him: 9 “My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city.” 10 Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.

Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

R: Lord, come to my aid!

1 [2] I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me. (R) 2 [3] The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp; he set my feet upon a crag; he made firm my steps. (R) 3 [4] And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in awe and trust in the Lord. (R) 17 [18] Though I am afflicted and poor, yet the Lord thinks of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, hold not back! (R)

We are never alone when we are disciples of Jesus. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we are a part of the “great cloud of witnesses” on the path to eternal life. The work of the Kingdom of God is never a solo task. There is always someone who prays for us or works with us. Do you believe this?

Hebrews 12:1-4

1 Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us 2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. 3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Jesus has a task to accomplish (His passion and death) and that He will be unfulfilled until then. It is hard to understand someone who is willing to face death with such conviction and purpose. Perhaps it is only the Son of God who could do this. Jesus knows there is more to His mission than being here on earth. His death is not the end as the Father raises Him from the dead.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

Luke 12:49-53

49 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 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.”

think: We must be ready to endure whatever may happen as we serve the Kingdom of God.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  2 Maccabees 11-12  

SABBATH PAUSE

THANK YOU LIST

SPECIAL NEEDS

HIDDEN TREASURE

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HEARTS ON FIRE

Fire changes everything it touches. It burns everything that comes to it. We use fire to cook food, to warm our bodies when cold weather comes, and to light our houses when darkness envelops the night.

       In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus setting fire on the earth and wishing it were already blazing. What He means here is that He brings changes to the world and He wants that change to consistently consume our hearts.

       Many people hardly accept changes in their hearts. If one goes out of his comfort zone, one reacts negatively. “I already have a peaceful and good life, why should I bother myself with change?” With this, we simply push away God’s invitation to go to the peripheries where there is a greater need to proclaim the Gospel.

      With change comes division and misunderstanding. Jesus tells us that by changing our lives, by being consumed by the fire which He set in our hearts, even our own families and relatives can possibly go against us. However, it is in establishing change that creates division where we find the peace that the world cannot give. Deep down we know that Jesus is right, and the Gospel call to active love and service is the fullest expression of truth, integrity and humanity.

       Setting the fire on earth calls us to give more attention to the poor, the starving, the homeless, the sick, the imprisoned, the dying, the outcast and the marginalized. More than being devout, religious and pious Christians, we are called to face the systemic injustice and make a radical statement opposing the culture of greed and death. Radical love is the fire that consumes the selfish heart.

       If we follow Jesus with hearts burning with love, nothing is impossible for Him who strengthens us. With Jesus, we set our hearts on fire! Fr. Alex Balatbat

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you move from the world’s darkness into the light of Christ, from indifference into the unconditional love and boundless compassion of Jesus?

Lord Jesus, You have scattered the darkness with Your light and have poured Your light into our hearts . Lord, in Your light, may we see light. Amen.